Gary Lineker backs ‘deserving’ Harry Kane to win the Ballon d’Or

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A “deserving” Harry Kane has been backed by Gary Lineker to win the Ballon d’Or after he hailed the England captain as “phenomenal”.

Kane matched Peter Shilton’s 125-cap England record against Czech Republic and scored twice in a 3-0 Nations League win at Wembley.

Kane’s international tally now stands at 91, and he has struck eight times in as many appearances for England and Bayern Munich so far this season.

It comes after the former Tottenham striker scored 61 goals for Bayern and netted 12 times for England last term.

Earlier this year, Kane, 33, surpassed Lineker to become England’s all-time leading World Cup scorer.

“What Harry Kane has done is truly incredible,” said Lineker, speaking at a Leaders Week conference at Stamford Bridge. “It really is. He is such a brilliant finisher. He is so accurate with both feet and great in the air, too.

“He is not just a penalty box player like I was. I would just lurk around and get the odd goal, but you saw him last night, he was clearing up at the back, too. He is a phenomenal footballer, incredibly intelligent, a really good guy, and what a career he has had.

“So, I would love to see him win it (the Ballon d’Or). We have never had a Ballon d’Or winner because the other previous winners, including Michael Owen and Kevin Keegan, were European Footballers of the Year.

“It would be very well deserved, and it is either going to be him, or Lamine Yamal. So, hopefully he (Kane) will win a Ballon d’Or, and even more importantly, hopefully he will win something with England one day.”

The ceremony for the 70th edition of the individual accolade will take place in London to commemorate the first winner, Sir Stanley Matthews, on 26 October.