Harry Kane nets landmark goal for Bayern as Ballon d'Or

Harry Kane broke his early-season duck and scored a landmark goal for Bayern Munich this weekend, all while being confirmed as a top contender for the 2026 Ballon d'Or. The England captain's first Bundesliga strike of the campaign secured a 2-1 victory at promoted Elversberg on Sunday, September 13. It was his 150th goal for the German giants, a milestone that arrives as he sits on a prestigious three-man shortlist for football's top individual prize.

Kane ends wait with decisive goal in Bayern win

Leading the team with Manuel Neuer rested, Kane finally found the net in the 72nd minute against a stubborn Elversberg side. Bayern had been pegged back after taking an early lead, making the captain's intervention vital. "That's football, sometimes you have to wait more than you'd have expected," Kane told broadcaster Dazn after the match. "It was nice to get the goal and the three points." The win kept Bayern near the top of the table, though Kane admitted the team has not yet hit its peak. His tally of 36 league goals last season set a high bar, but this first strike of 2026-27 got the ball rolling.

Ballon d'Or nomination rewards historic season

Kane's name was on the 30-man shortlist for the men's Ballon d'Or September 15. He is considered a leading candidate alongside last year's winner Ousmane Dembélé and France's Kylian Mbappé. The nomination caps an extraordinary individual year for the striker. He scored a staggering 73 goals for club and country across the 2025-26 season, winning the Bundesliga with Bayern and helping England to a third-place finish at the World Cup. The winner will be announced at a ceremony in London on October 26. While team trophies often influence the vote, Kane's phenomenal output makes him a genuine threat for the award.

Podcast highlights landmark amid European action

The Guardian's Football Weekly podcast, released on September 15, highlighted Kane's 150th Bayern goal as a key moment from the weekend. The discussion placed his achievement alongside other major European stories, including doubles from Ballon d'Or rivals Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappé in Spain. This contextualizes Kane's performance within the wider landscape of the continent's elite, where his consistent scoring keeps him in the highest echelons of the game.

• First Goal: Kane scored his first Bundesliga goal of the season in Bayern's 2-1 win at Elversberg on September 13.
• Major Milestone: The strike was his 150th goal in all competitions for Bayern Munich.
• Ballon d'Or Contender: He was named a top nominee for the 2026 award on September 15, following a 73-goal season.
• World Cup Impact: His performances were central to England's run to third place at the 2026 World Cup.

Kane's immediate focus returns to Bayern's [fixtures](/fixtures) as they aim to defend their title. But the Ballon d'Or nomination is a fitting recognition of a year where his individual numbers were simply unmatched. The coming weeks will determine if his incredible goal haul is enough to clinch the ultimate personal accolade.