Full Interview: Harry Kane on the Ballon d’Or — “I Don’t Like Talking About Myself; My 73 Goals Speak for Themselves”

Harry Kane is the player who is the exact opposite of the footballer profile that has won the Ballon d’Or in recent years. The England striker has preferred to keep a low profile in this race and not advertise his achievements. Unlike Mbappé or Yamal, who in several interviews given in recent days promoted themselves, Kane said in an interview with Marca that he has chosen a different path, because he is confident in what he has achieved on the pitch.

You have won everything in Germany, and that is why the Champions League seems to be your biggest challenge with Bayern.

Yes, that’s true. Last season was really good for us. We finished second in the group phase, with seven wins and one loss. Then we played some very good matches against Atalanta and Real Madrid. Against PSG we played two unbelievable matches for the fans. The defeat was hard to accept. We were so close; we had the belief and the quality to be in the final. But this is the Champions League: everything is decided by very small margins.

And this year?

It’s about doing more or less the same thing and taking the final step. This Bayern has the hunger needed as a group, as a team, and also the right coach.

The final will be in Madrid, and in the league phase you will face Atlético.

Yes. And I don’t think I have ever played against them. Atlético have shown how good they can be. They reached the semifinals of the last Champions League, and they have all my respect. It will be a difficult match, but we will be ready. I lost a Champions League final at that stadium (the Metropolitano) [with Tottenham], and it was a difficult moment. I hope to return and have a different story.

You are an unusual case. As the years go by, you score more goals. What is your secret?

One of them you all know well [referring to his personal sports doctor, Alejandro Elorriaga, from Madrid]. Alejandro has played a very important role in my success.

What has he given you since you started working with him several years ago?

Alejandro plays a fundamental role in my current form. We work a lot behind the scenes. We have been together for six and a half years now [since March 2020], and he is one of the main reasons I can perform at this level and play so many matches. It is no coincidence that I have continued to improve over these years, because, as some believe, performance usually drops at this age. But in my case, almost the opposite has happened. The work we do with Alejandro is extremely beneficial and satisfying for both of us. He is also a great person and we spend a lot of time together, so naturally, I want to thank him immensely for all his work.

And what other secrets does he have?

Football is sometimes about timing, and being at Bayern, with the excellent team I have around me, allows me to score many goals and also take part in the game, passing, defending and everything else that I like to help the team with. Honestly, I feel very good physically and mentally… better than ever!

Don’t you ever get tired of celebrating goals?

Never. Scoring is the best possible feeling. It’s an unbelievable rush of adrenaline. There is also a great feeling of relief. It’s a feeling I know I will miss when I stop playing.

You are one of the candidates for the Ballon d’Or. I know you don’t like talking about your achievements, but 73 goals in 65 matches [between Bayern and England]… surely they could deserve an award.

It’s complicated. I have never liked talking too much about myself. The only thing I would say is that last season was unbelievable, both personally and for the team. It was, so far, the best season of my life. It’s true that reaching 73 goals, the second-highest number in history [after Leo Messi’s 82 goals in 69 matches in the 2011-12 season], speaks for itself. I am extremely proud of this. I can only thank my teammates and everyone who helped make it possible. But the Ballon d’Or is not in my hands. It depends on the people who vote. From my point of view, last season is already in the past. Now I am focused on this one and I can’t wait to see what else I can do. I know there will be a lot of discussion about the Ballon d’Or until October, because it is a big award.