Vincent Kompany is happy to see Harry Kane and Michael Olise in the Ballon d’Or conversation, but the Bayern Munich coach has more immediate priorities than individual awards. Kompany was asked about his players’ chances of winning the prestigious honor. His response suggested the decision was already out of his hands (as captured by @iMiaSanMia).
“I think it’s already been decided, right? So I can’t change anything anymore regardless of what I say. Sorry, but I don’t have this Ballon d’Or in my mind
every day. Today, I’m only thinking about Augsburg. I hope a Bayern player wins, but of course, it’s more important to me that we win titles with Bayern. I know Harry and Michael well; they think the same way. That’s what sets us apart as a team,” Kompany said.
The Belgian made it clear that the award was not dominating his thoughts—at least not ahead of the Bavarian derby against Augsburg, which ended in a dramatic draw.
Kompany nevertheless expressed his hope that one of his players would take home the prize. Kane and Olise both enjoyed outstanding 2025/26 campaigns, helping Bayern win the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal while establishing themselves among the leading individual contenders. Kompany believes Kane and Olise share his team-first mentality, with collective success taking priority over individual recognition. Make no mistake: withholding the Ballon d’Or from Bayern Munich’s elite duo would transcend a simple snub and edge into the territory of a footballing travesty.
However, Kompany’s comments offer a reminder of the priorities at Bayern, where individual recognition is welcome, but team trophies remain the ultimate goal. Kane has received strong public backing from club figures, including club legends Uli Hoeneß and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, while Olise has also earned praise for his performances.
With the Ballon d’Or ceremony approaching, Bayern could yet celebrate an individual winner. For Kompany, however, the bigger measure of success remains what his team achieves together.
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