Bayern Munich’s Luis Díaz Backs Harry Kane for 2026 Ballon d’Or

Bayern Munich forward Luis Díaz has made a strong public endorsement of his teammate Harry Kane for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, stating the England captain is “number one to win it” in an interview published on the Bundesliga’s official website. The Colombian international, himself one of the 30 nominees for football’s most prestigious individual award, did not hold back in his praise for Kane.

The winner of the 2026 Ballon d’Or will be announced at a ceremony in London on Monday, 26 October. Kane, alongside Díaz, Michael Olise, and Dayot Upamecano, represents Bayern Munich on the shortlist. Díaz’s comments add a notable teammate’s voice to the conversation surrounding the award, which often sparks debate among fans and pundits.

Key facts
| Fact | Detail |
|——|——–|
| Event | 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony |
| Date | Monday, 26 October 2026 |
| Location | London |
| Bayern Munich nominees | Harry Kane, Luis Díaz, Michael Olise, Dayot Upamecano |

Díaz: Kane’s mentality sets him apart

When asked which teammate impressed him most since joining Bayern, Díaz pointed directly to Kane. While the pair had faced each other in the Premier League, the Colombian explained that daily training has revealed a different level of professionalism.

“Who’s impressed me most? I’d say Harry. For me, Harry is special,” Díaz said in the interview. “I already knew him. We faced each other in England several times. I already knew he scored a lot of goals, but sharing every day with him, seeing how he trains, seeing the mentality he has. That’s impressed me more.”

Díaz described Kane as doing “everything perfectly” and added that the striker surprised him more than any other teammate, though he also reserved high praise for Michael Olise, calling the French winger’s quality and composure on the ball a revelation.

“Number one to win it”

The Colombian forward was unequivocal when asked directly about the Ballon d’Or. He described Kane’s 2025-26 season in one word: “Magnificent.”

“I can’t find the perfect word to describe him, because he’s had such a great year,” Díaz continued. “And even before then he was showing he’s one of the best players in the world. For me, he’s number one to win it. Hopefully he gets it. We’re trying to make his case to win it.”

The endorsement carries weight given Díaz’s own standing. The 29-year-old was a key figure in Bayern’s domestic campaign and their run to the Champions League final last season, which ended in a narrow defeat. His nomination reflects his individual contributions, but he made clear the team’s focus extends beyond personal accolades.

Bayern’s title ambitions and Kompany’s approach

Díaz also discussed Bayern’s tactical setup under head coach Vincent Kompany. He described the Belgian’s approach as balanced: freedom in attack combined with defensive discipline.

“When it comes to attacking, it’s more like that, playing freely but also respecting your role on the pitch,” Díaz said. “Defensively, things are a bit more… I wouldn’t say he’s obsessed, but he demands more in wanting us to all defend. He says when you defend better, you attack better.”

The Colombian also identified Borussia Dortmund as one of Bayern’s biggest threats in the Bundesliga title race this season. With the campaign underway, Bayern are aiming to improve on a near-perfect domestic season that fell just short in Europe.

Olise’s quiet influence

Díaz offered insight into Michael Olise’s personality and work ethic, describing him as quiet but sharp. “He’s quite quiet, but he’s also very willing to help you, like on the pitch when he’ll give you some instructions to help you to defend or to make the move for the pass he wants to play,” Díaz said. “He stays behind after training to practise his shooting. He’s got an incredible shot.”

He also admitted that early in the season, he misread a few chances created by Olise, but noted their understanding is growing with each training session.

What this means for the Ballon d’Or race

Kane’s case for the Ballon d’Or rests on his consistent goal-scoring output and leadership for both Bayern and England. Díaz’s public backing, while not a vote, reflects the sentiment within the Bayern dressing room. With the ceremony just over a month away, the debate over who deserves the award will intensify. For now, at least one of Kane’s teammates has made his choice clear.

Source: Bundesliga – https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/luis-diaz-interview-harry-kane-number-1-to-win-ballon-dor-bayern-munich-39236

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