"Harry Kane The Face Of Bundesliga, Best Investment Bayern Munich Ever Made": Lothar Matthaus

Lothar Matthaus on significance of Harry Kane's Ballon d'Or win© Getty

The last time a player from the German Bundesliga finished on top of the Ballon d'Or podium, Harry Kane was just three years old. Now, at the age of 33, the England and Bayern Munich forward has put the German league back in the spotlight after beating Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal to the Golden Ball. While this moment is undoubtedly one of the most glittering in Kane's career, it also elevates the status of Bayern Munich and the entire German football ecosystem. What is the true significance of this award? German and Bundesliga legend Lothar Matthaus believes Kane's Ballon d'Or title fundamentally changes the international perception of both the club and the league.

Kane arrived at Bayern Munich having already established a reputation as one of world football's premier goalscorers. However, what he lacked were team titles from his time at Tottenham Hotspur. Since moving to Munich, the Englishman has won numerous accolades, both individually and with the team. The Ballon d'Or, however, is undoubtedly the crowning achievement of his career. Matthaus feels Kane's move to Bayern sends a clear message to the global football community about what the club and league have to offer.

"We are delighted when we achieve good results in European competitions, and Bayern Munich is one of the best teams in the world. Playing in a side with this level of quality naturally gives you a better chance of winning individual titles, as those awards reflect how well your club performs in every competition," Matthaus told NDTV during a media roundtable on Wednesday.

"Bayern Munich performed exceptionally well last season, winning the Bundesliga and the DFB-Pokal (German Cup), and reaching the Champions League semi-finals, while Kane captained England to third place in the World Cup, scoring in every tournament. He has transformed the international perception of Bayern Munich. A player of his stature is not merely representing his club; he is a global ambassador and the face of the Bundesliga worldwide," he added.

While the pedigree of the Bundesliga has often been questioned, Matthaus believes Kane's Ballon d'Or triumph instils fresh confidence in German football, proving that the league can still attract and develop elite talent. He also called Bayern's 100 million euros purchase of Harry Kane as the club's "best investment"

"His Ballon d'Or proves that the German league can elevate a player to the very pinnacle of world football. What makes Harry so special is that he is not a typical number nine who simply waits in the penalty box. He operates as a playmaker, drops deep into midfield, provides assists, and works hard defensively. He is a true team leader, and that complete style of play makes this achievement thoroughly deserved," Matthaus said. "He was the best investment that Bayern Munich made, maybe ever."

When asked why players based in Germany had previously struggled to win the Golden Ball, Matthaus pointed to the long-standing dominance of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as a primary factor.

"There are a few clear reasons. Firstly, looking back to 2014 when Germany won the World Cup, we simply had too many high-level leaders in the squad-players like Manuel Neuer, Philipp Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Miroslav Klose, and Thomas Muller. Because Germany had seven or eight outstanding performers rather than a single focal point like Lionel Messi for Argentina, the journalists' votes were divided. They were undecided on whether to allocate points to the goalkeeper, the captain, or the top scorers, which ultimately cost our players the trophy," he explained.

Matthaus also recalled the 2020 Ballon d'Or ceremony, which was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Former Bayern striker Robert Lewandowski had been the clear favourite to win the individual honour that year, but ultimately left empty-handed.

"During the pandemic, Bayern Munich won the Champions League, and Robert Lewandowski was comfortably on course to win the Ballon d'Or, but the award was cancelled that year," Matthaus recalled.

"Finally, you have to consider the immense quality of our international rivals, including the top Spanish clubs, Paris Saint-Germain, and Manchester City. The competition has been fiercely contested. This year, for instance, the margins were extremely fine, with Kylian Mbappe finishing just a few points behind Kane. Unlike previous years where the winner was obvious beforehand, this year was a dramatic and fair contest among ten or eleven players who genuinely dominated world football over the last twelve months," he added, explaining the factors behind Kane's victory.

Bundesliga CEO On Harry Kane's Ballon d'Or Win

Kane's Ballon d'Or win also enhances the Bundesliga's international standing. For the league's CEO, Marc Lenz, the German top flight remains a stage where the world's finest players can compete at the highest level.

"Winning the Ballon d'Or is a tremendous recognition of Harry Kane's extraordinary performances-and a monumental success for FC Bayern Munchen and the Bundesliga," Lenz said following Kane's triumph in London.

"Harry is not only one of the standout players of his generation; he combines athletic excellence with immense professionalism, commitment, and respect for the game. He gives everything for his team and inspires supporters around the globe. He is a fantastic role model for young players and an outstanding ambassador for the Bundesliga," Lenz added.

"This achievement reinforces that the Bundesliga is a platform where the very best players in the world can perform at the highest level."

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