Declan Rice has backed England teammate Harry Kane to win the Ballon d’Or on Monday, saying it’s “his time.”
Both Rice and Kane got on the scoresheet as Arsenal drew 2-2 at Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
Kane’s goal — which came from the penalty spot — was his 10th of the season already after he scored 61 in 51 appearances in 2025-26.
Asked by CBS Sports after the game whether he would like to see Kane win the coveted prize, Rice replied: “100%
“I think it’s his time. I think he deserves this. His whole career, the consistency he’s showed, the longevity he’s showed. He’s getting better with age.
“His performance tonight was incredible. The numbers that he’s had for the past year speak for themselves.
“What he’s done in an England shirt … So many different things that have played into account for this past year.”
Since arriving from Tottenham in 2023, Kane has broken a number of longstanding records with Bayern.
Last month, he became the fastest player in history to reach 100 Bundesliga goals, doing so in his 98th appearance and smashing Dieter Müller’s record of 129 games.
Sources told ESPN last week that Kane is close to signing a new deal at Bayern.
Rice also paid tribute to the 33-year-old’s character.
“Beyond all of the football stuff, as a person as well, just how he is as a leader, as an actual person, such a good guy,” he said.
“I can’t speak highly enough of him. So, I hope on Monday he has that gold trophy in his hands.
“First [English Ballon d’Or winner] since Michael Owen so it would be really special.”
Kane — who said on Wednesday that he is trying not to “stress” about the ceremony — is up against the likes of Lamine Yamal, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé for the award.
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