Come Monday, Harry Kane could become just the fifth Englishman to win the Ballon d’Or in 70 years, and the first since Michael Owen in 2001.
Largely viewed as one of, if not the, favorites alongside Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, the 33-year-old England captain and Bayern Munich star has now received the public backing of another of this year’s nominees.
Arsenal midfielder and fellow England stalwart Declan Rice has thrown his weight behind Kane to win the award, which will be handed out on Monday in London.
Speaking after Arsenal’s dramatic 2-2 comeback draw against Bayern in Germany on Wednesday, in which both he and Kane netted, Rice told CBS Sports of the striker potentially winning the award, “I think it's his time. I think he deserves this.
“His whole career, the consistency he showed, the longevity he showed. He's getting better with age. His performance tonight was incredible. The numbers that he's had for the past year, speak for themselves.
“What he's done in an England shirt. So many different things that have played into this, played into account for this past year.
“And beyond all of the football stuff, as a person as well, just how he is as a leader, as an actual person. Such a good guy. I can't speak highly enough of him. So I hope on Monday he has that gold trophy in his hands. First one since Michael Owen. So it'd be really special.”
With the award set to be judged on his domestic and international season between 2025 and 2026, Kane will fancy his chances having put up eye-watering numbers.
To listen to the latest episode of 'All Out Soccer' - CLICK HERE
In 65 appearances for club and country, the former Tottenham Hotspur star scored 73 goals and added eight assists. His goal tally marked the second-best goal-scoring season since the millennium, trailing only eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and fellow nominee Lionel Messi (2011/2012), as per the Bundesliga’s website.
This past season, Kane also won a second Bundesliga title, the DFB-Pokal, and the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup. On an individual level, he claimed the German Golden Boot for a third consecutive campaign, along with his second European Golden Shoe.
Kane also helped guide England to third place at the FIFA World Cup, marking the Three Lions’ best tournament finish since they won it on home soil back in 1966.
Discussing Kane back in the CBS Studio on Tuesday, former Ballon d’Or runner-up Thierry Henry recalled, “I went to see him when I was on another channel in England, and I went to see him, and I was like, ‘You're scoring a lot of goals, but what about your assists? What about your gameplay? What about you being a nine and bringing people in when you play?’
“And he goes, ‘I'm not doing that enough, and I will work on it, and one day I will be better at it.’
• Wayne Rooney tears into Bruno Fernandes and labels Manchester United players 'selfish babies'
• Enzo Maresca opens up on helping Phil Foden rediscover his best form at Manchester City
“I respect people that talk and deliver it. He did it, and if you want to be a complete nine and people will tell you you've got to be good in the box, and I think yes, but this guy is good everywhere at everything that he touches.”
Kane proved that once again on Wednesday, not only converting a penalty but also providing an assist for Alphonso Davies’ opener. The striker also very nearly set up another goal, this time from a pinpoint goal kick, although Serge Gnabry wasn’t able to find the back of the net thanks to a save from David Raya.
Ultimately, the England captain was named Man of the Match.