"Another huge step forward" - Niko Kovac hails Ballon d'Or winner Harry Kane ahead of Bayern clash
Borussia Dortmund manager Niko Kovac has lavished praise on Bayern Munich star Harry Kane for taking a huge step forward since arriving in the Bundesliga three years ago.
The England star won the 2026 Ballon d'Or in Monday's ceremony, becoming the first Englishman to win the most coveted individual prize since 2001 and the first Bundesliga player since Matthias Sammer in 1996.
Kane had a prolific 2025-26 campaign for club and country, netting an astonishing 73 goals in all competitions while winning the league and domestic cup titles before guiding England to a bronze medal finish at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
He beat France and Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe, who finished second, whereas Spain and Barcelona ace Lamine Yamal finished third. Rodri and Lionel Messi came in at fourth and fifth respectively.
Ahead of his side's crunch showdown with Kane and co. at the Allianz Arena on Saturday, Kovac had nothing but praise for the striker. Speaking to the press ahead of Der Klassiker, he said:
We don’t need to say much about him. The fact alone that he has won the Ballon d'Or says everything about him. He hasn’t bought it or been handed it on a plate; he has worked incredibly hard for it ever since he arrived in Germany.
Since joining from Tottenham Hotspur in 2023, Kane has bagged 156 goals from 159 goals for the side in all competitions, including a mammoth 102 in the Bundesliga from 101 appearances. But Kovac believes winning the Ballon d'Or was another big step forward for the 33-year-old striker.
He has taken another huge step forward here. He was already a top player in England, and to make another leap at his age is sensational. It shows just how dangerous a player he is and the quality he possesses.
On Saturday, Kane is set for his first appearance with Bayern since winning the prize and will be aiming to mark the occasion with a goal or two. He was on target against Dortmund in their 2-1 win in the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup back in August. Kovac revealed that his side must work together as a unit in order to neutralize his threat:
We won’t be able to stop him one-on-one. As I keep saying, we have to do it together. I always say that it takes 11 players, and only when all 11 are performing at the highest level can you get a result in Munich. If we fail to do that, it will be difficult.
