Michael Olise disagrees with Thierry Henry by backing Harry Kane for Ballon d'Or
Michael Olise has publicly backed Bayern Munich teammate Harry Kane for the 2026 Ballon d'Or, rejecting Thierry Henry's claim that he was the best player in Germany last season.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Author: YantsImages
Tension is building around the 2026 Ballon d'Or, but Bayern Munich players are firmly united in their support for Harry Kane. After a campaign featuring 61 goals in all competitions, the England captain has emerged as a top contender for the award.
Michael Olise, who is also shortlisted for the honor alongside teammate Dayot Upamecano, voiced his clear preference when asked about the race. Dismissing suggestions that he might have been the standout performer in Germany, Olise stated:
Because he was the best player last season.
This stance directly counters recent comments from Thierry Henry. The football legend argued that Kylian Mbappé is the most deserving candidate while suggesting that Olise actually outperformed Kane on the domestic stage last year.
Kane's influence has drawn praise from across the dressing room. Luis Díaz lauded the forward's selfless attitude, noting that his contribution goes far beyond just scoring goals. Meanwhile, Joshua Kimmich highlighted Kane's team-first mentality, emphasizing that the striker remains focused on collective success regardless of his own scoring record.
With other heavyweights like Rodri and Lamine Yamal also in the mix, the race remains highly competitive. The football world will find out the final outcome when the award is presented in London on October 26.