Clive Allen backs Harry Kane to get the Ballon d’Or nod

Former Tottenham forward and coach Clive Allen has tipped protege Harry Kane to win next month’s Ballon d’Or.

England captain Kane is one of the favourites for the prestigious award after an extraordinary 2025-26 campaign where he scored 61 goals for Bayern Munich and a further 12 for his country.

Allen worked with Kane during his early years at Spurs before the prolific striker broke through under Mauricio Pochettino, who also backed the 33-year-old to become the first English winner of the Ballon d’Or in 25 years earlier in September.

The ceremony for the 70th edition of the individual accolade will take place in London on October 26 instead of its usual venue of Paris to commemorate the first winner, Sir Stanley Matthews.

Whilst Kane has not talked up too much his prospects of winning the Ballon d’Or, old coach Allen was happy to during a Hall of Fame event at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Monday night.

Allen told Press Association: “I believe Harry should win the Ballon d’Or, yes and purely because of what he has achieved.

“When you look at Ballon d’Or winners over the years, they have always been exceptional in what they have achieved.

“That is how it should be judged and there is no one better than Harry Kane over the last two or three seasons.”

Kane departed Spurs ahead of the 2023-24 campaign and his former club are still struggling to fill the void left by the academy graduate.

Goals have been a problem with Dominic Solanke, Savio and Omar Marmoush unable to open their account in the Premier League, but Allen believes it is only a matter of time before it clicks under Roberto De Zerbi after a summer where £380million was committed on 10 new signings.

“The new signings are players with Premier League experience. They have that understanding of what it takes in the Premier League. They will all be hurting because of the start we have had, as we all are,” Allen said.

“Looking at the quality we have, we know there is a lot more to come and I am sure that will happen.”

“It is all about confidence (for forwards). I know from my playing days, the first thing you want when you start a new season is to get off (the mark) and be scoring because of the confidence that gives you and the belief that gives you.

“I’m sure as soon as those strikers find the back of the net, that (confidence) will come because they have undoubted ability.”