Harry Kane Starts Bayern's Cup Campaign as Ballon d'Or Buzz

Harry Kane is in the starting lineup for Bayern Munich's DFB-Pokal first-round match against VfL Osnabrück on Wednesday, September 4, 2026. This comes as the England captain, fresh from a staggering 73-goal season for club and country, is the overwhelming favourite to win the Ballon d'Or later this year. Behind the scenes, his future at the Allianz Arena is being shaped by ongoing contract discussions with Bayern, which have not stopped Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal from reportedly holding talks with his representatives.

Is Harry Kane the Ballon d'Or frontrunner?

The evidence is compelling. In an exclusive interview with The Athletic, Kane reflected on a phenomenal individual campaign that saw him become the creative and goalscoring heart of a Bayern side that won a domestic double. His 73 goals are the headline, but his all-round game is what makes him a prohibitive favourite for football's top individual prize. He dissected one of his finest moments, a last-gasp winner for England against DR Congo in the World Cup round of 32. "It's one of my best finishes in an England shirt," Kane said, explaining his instinct to shoot first from anywhere near the box. Former England striker Teddy Sheringham has also publicly backed Kane's Ballon d'Or credentials, adding to the consensus that this could be his year.

What is the latest on Kane's Bayern Munich contract?

Kane's current deal expires in June 2027, putting him into the final year of his contract. He returned to training last week and stated discussions with Bayern would begin imminently. "I only have one year left on my contract, so now is the time to talk about it," Kane said. "Both sides are very relaxed." Reports from August indicated Bayern were close to agreeing a new three-year contract that would keep him in Munich until he is nearly 36. However, the situation is not entirely straightforward. According to TEAMtalk, Kane's brother and agent, Charlie Kane, met with Al-Hilal's Technical Director Simon Francis recently. The Saudi club reportedly has Kane at the top of their striker shortlist and is prepared to make a major offer, though no formal bid has been confirmed.

How did Bayern start their season ahead of the cup match?

Vincent Kompany's side began the defence of their Bundesliga title in emphatic fashion, thrashing VfB Stuttgart 5-1 at home. New signing Michael Olise was among the scorers, alongside Dayot Upamecano, Aleksandar Pavlovic, and Luis Diaz. That strong start provided ideal momentum for their DFB-Pokal opener away at second-tier Osnabrück. The lineup for that cup match on September 4 confirms Kane starts alongside Olise as Bayern look to begin another potential trophy-winning campaign on all fronts.

• Ballon d'Or Favorite: Harry Kane is the clear frontrunner for the 2026 award after a 73-goal season for Bayern Munich and England.
• Contract Crossroads: Talks over a new three-year deal with Bayern are active, but Al-Hilal has held discussions with his camp.
• Immediate Focus: Kane started Bayern's DFB-Pokal first-round match at VfL Osnabrück on September 4, following a 5-1 Bundesliga opening win.