Kane has 'his nose ahead' in Ballon d'Or race, says Matthäus
· Yahoo Sports
German football icon Lothar Matthäus believes Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane is the favourite to win the Ballon d'Or award as the best men's player of the past season globally.
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"I would be pleased for him to win it, not only because he is a Bayern player but also because he is an excellent ambassador," the 65-year-old said on his talk show Lothar legt los on the Bild website on Wednesday.
Matthäus cited three reasons in favour of the England captain taking the prestigious prize - his strong scoring record during Bayern's run to the German double, England reaching the World Cup semi-finals and Kane's "role-model function" in the sport.
"Everyone has won something. But in the end, if you add up the overall successes, you have to say that Harry Kane has his nose ahead for me," added Matthäus, who won the Ballon d'Or in 1990.
The 33-year-old Kane is one of 30 candidates for the award, which French sports newspaper L'Equipe will present in London on October 26.
Spain's World Cup-winning captain Rodri, France World Cup record goalscorer Kylian Mbappé and Argentina superstar Lionel Messi are also in the frame.