2026 Ballon d’Or: He’s The Clear Winner – Declan Rice Picks Player To Take Award

Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has backed England teammate Harry Kane to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or, describing the Bayern Munich striker as the “clear winner” ahead of Monday’s ceremony in London.

Rice made the statement after Arsenal played out a 2-2 draw with Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday night, with both English internationals finding the net during the encounter at the Allianz Arena in Germany.

The Arsenal midfielder praised Kane’s performances throughout the year, arguing that the striker’s statistics and overall contributions make him a leading contender for football’s most prestigious individual award.

“For me, he’s the clear winner,” Rice told TNT Sports, expressing his confidence that the Bayern Munich forward deserves the recognition.

He continued: “I think his numbers speak for himself. The year he’s had has been remarkable,” highlighting Kane’s impressive performances over the past year.

Rice acknowledged that Kane faces competition from other elite footballers but insisted that playing alongside or against the striker reveals the extent of his quality and influence on the pitch.

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“He’s obviously up against some other world-class players, but when you play with him, you realise how good he is, and when you play against him, you see how much of a pain it is,” Rice added, underlining his admiration for his England teammate.