Why he gets sharper with age: the message sent by 73 goals in the race for the Ballon d'Or.

Is Harry Kane like fine wine? It seems the older he gets, the more exquisite his goal-scoring prowess becomes! During his time at Tottenham, his highest tally in a single season was 41 goals—achieved in the 2017–18 campaign. He was just 25 years old back then.

In 2023, at the age of 30, Kane joined Bayern Munich as the most expensive player in Bundesliga history. Subsequently, in his first three seasons with the German club, he scored 44, 41, and 61 goals respectively. When the 12 goals scored for England are added to the mix, the figures for the last season become staggering: 73 goals in 65 matches!

Naturally, Kane is now one of the most talked-about contenders for the Ballon d'Or. There are few precedents for scoring so many goals in a single season. Kane's tally of 73 goals last season ranks among the highest, trailing only Lionel Messi’s 82 goals in 69 matches during the 2011–12 season.

With Bayern, Kane won the Bundesliga and the German Cup last season. His performance at the World Cup also drew significant attention; he scored six goals and helped England reach the semi-finals. Consequently, it is only natural for English fans to be optimistic about his chances of winning the Ballon d'Or.

However, Kane faces stiff competition for the award. Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal have also presented strong cases for themselves.

Mbappé broke goal-scoring records at the World Cup, led France to the semi-finals, and won the Golden Boot. He scored 42 goals for Real Madrid last season, although he did not win any major trophies. Meanwhile, Yamal—alongside his World Cup and La Liga triumphs—scored 24 goals and provided 18 assists for Barcelona.

So, how does Kane view his own candidacy for the Ballon d'Or?

In an interview with the Spanish media outlet *Marca*, the English striker said, "I don't like talking too much about myself. I’ll just say that last season was extraordinary. It was the best season of my life... but the Ballon d'Or isn't in my hands; it depends entirely on the voters." "Those 73 goals say it all."

This year’s Ballon d’Or holds extra significance for Kane, as the ceremony is being hosted in London—England’s capital and his hometown—for the very first time.

He feels a unique connection to this. "Many people have mentioned that to me. Perhaps it’s a good omen. It feels even more special because it’s my home city. So yes, it’s a strange and wonderful feeling that it’s taking place there this year. We’ll have to wait and see how it all unfolds."

Does he ever get tired of celebrating goals after scoring so many? Kane’s answer is that of a true-born striker: "Never. The feeling of scoring a goal is the best! It creates an incredible rush while simultaneously bringing a deep sense of relief. I know I’ll miss this feeling immensely when I eventually retire."

Kane is now 33. While many footballers start thinking about the final chapter of their careers at this age, England’s all-time leading scorer seems to be getting sharper than ever.

His personal sports physician, Alejandro Elorriaga, plays a major role in this; the two have been working together for the past six and a half years.

"Alejandro has played a fundamental role in my current form," Kane says. "We do a lot of work behind the scenes. We’ve been together for six and a half years now. He is one of the key reasons I’m able to perform at this level and play so many matches."

Kane also addressed the common belief that performance declines with age. "Many people assume that performance usually drops at this age, but the exact opposite has happened in my case. Working with Alejandro has been incredibly fruitful and rewarding for both of us."

Regardless of the Ballon d’Or outcome, one thing is clear from Kane’s own words: after a 73-goal season, he doesn't feel much need to campaign for himself.