Thomas Tuchel has backed Harry Kane to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or, describing the England captain as “the full package” after a remarkable season for Bayern Munich and the national team.

Kane scored 73 goals for club and country during the 2025–26 campaign and helped Bayern win the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal and German Super Cup. He also reached the semi-finals of both the Champions League and the 2026 World Cup with England.

Asked by ITV whether Kane should win the award, Tuchel replied: “Yeah. After this season, yeah. Seventy-plus goals, three titles with Bayern Munich, semi-finals at the World Cup and in the Champions League.”

The England manager also praised Kane’s wider contribution, arguing that his influence extends beyond finishing.

“He’s getting better and better,” Tuchel said. “He’s added a level of physicality to his game. He’s so committed to the high press and to being involved in every part of the match — deep build-up, finishing, build-up play in the middle block and defending. He’s the full package.”

Kane is the bookmakers’ favourite to become the first Englishman since Michael Owen in 2001 to win the Ballon d’Or. The ceremony is scheduled to take place on October 26, with Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal and Ousmane Dembélé among his leading rivals.

Tuchel also backed Kane to remain England’s first-choice striker at the 2030 World Cup, when he would be 36.

“Age is age. It doesn’t matter. It’s only about quality, and he has a long way to go,” Tuchel said.