Karl-Heinz Rummenigge: 'Harry Kane embodies the qualities of a true role model'

Harry Kane is the first FC Bayern player since Karl-Heinz Rummenigge to win the Ballon d’Or. The former captain of the German record winners, long-serving CEO and current member of the supervisory board, actually won this prestigious award twice in a row in 1980 and 1981. Forty-five years after his triumph, the 71-year-old has paid tribute to his English successor: “Harry Kane absolutely deserves to be the Ballon d’Or winner; I am truly delighted for him. Not only because he had an outstanding season, but also because he embodies something that is becoming increasingly rare in sport and in our society: he is a true role model.”

Rummenigge went on to say that the award was “a great success for FC Bayern”, adding with one eye on the bigger picture: “Harry has proven that, today just as in the past, the path to the Ballon d’Or can still lead via FC Bayern and the Bundesliga.” On Monday evening, at the ceremony in his home city of London, Kane edged out top international rivals such as Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid) and Lamine Yamal (Barcelona). As well as Rummenigge, the two FCB icons Gerd Müller (1970) and Franz Beckenbauer (1972/1976) also secured the coveted trophy in their day.