Declan Rice scored the goal that denied Bayern Munich victory in Munich on Wednesday night — then told the world the man he had just spent 90 minutes chasing should win the Ballon d'Or. The Arsenal midfielder called Harry Kane "the clear winner" ahead of Monday's ceremony in London.
Rice Makes His Pick
Speaking to TNT Sports after the final whistle, Rice did not hesitate when Kane's name came up. "For me, he's the clear winner," he said, in quotes reported by talkSPORT. "I think his numbers speak for themselves. The year he's had has been remarkable. He's obviously up against some other world class players.
"When you play with him, you realise how good he is. And when you play against him, you see how much of a pain it is. As a striker, to play that pass that he did for that goal, and then to take the penalty how he did, he's ridiculous. He's such a good player."
Rice plays alongside Kane for England, and on this evidence he was in no mood to pretend club loyalty outweighed what he had just witnessed at close quarters.
A Night That Said Everything About Kane
The match itself made Rice's argument for him. Arsenal struck first in the 2-2 draw in Munich, Eberechi Eze — on early for the injured Bukayo Saka — finishing from Martin Odegaard's pass on 25 minutes after VAR overturned an offside call.
Kane's response was a pass that split the Arsenal defence and sent Alphonso Davies through to level ten minutes later, a ball talkSPORT's commentary team described in glowing terms. Then, on 61 minutes, Kane won a penalty when his shot struck Jurrien Timber's arm — and converted it himself, sending David Raya the wrong way for his 16th goal in 23 appearances against Arsenal.
It took Rice's own 82nd-minute equaliser, teed up by substitute Viktor Gyokeres, to stop Kane taking all three points. Bayern had been without Michael Olise, Joshua Kimmich and Jamal Musiala, and coach Vincent Kompany had been a doubt through illness — yet Kane still ran the game.
One Short of Ronaldo
The penalty also carried Kane to a landmark. As theScore noted, he has now scored in 10 consecutive Champions League matches — a streak only Cristiano Ronaldo, who managed 11 for Real Madrid, has ever bettered. Kane can equal that record in Bayern's next European outing.
Kane himself was measured about Monday. "It'd be a massive honour," he told TNT Sports. "I've made it clear I don't like to talk about myself, but I know it'd be a massive achievement if it does happen. We've got one more league game to focus and then hopefully I can enjoy the day and evening on Monday." If he wins, he would be the first Englishman to lift the award since Michael Owen in 2001.
What It Means for Monday Night
Arsenal leave Munich with seven points from three league-phase games and their unbeaten European start intact, though Saka's early thigh injury is a worry before Everton visit on Saturday. Bayern, still unbeaten, travel to Freiburg on Sunday — then Kane swaps boots for a tuxedo.
Beyond the Final Whistle: Endorsements do not come more credible than this. Rice is not a pundit with a vote to sell or a team-mate talking up a friend in a quiet week — he is the opponent Kane tormented for 90 minutes, speaking minutes after full-time. A playmaker's pass, a nerveless penalty and a tenth straight scoring night in this competition: if the Ballon d'Or is meant to reward the best player in the world over the past year, Kane made his closing argument in Munich. Does Kane deserve to win the Ballon d'Or on Monday — or is there a stronger candidate? Tell us in the comments.
