Jamie Carragher immediately talks down Harry Kane's Ballon d'Or chances after World Cup heroics
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Harry Kane is among the favourites to win the Ballon d'Or this year after a sensational season playing for Bayern Munich, which has now continued on into the World Cup with EnglandJamie Carragher believes Harry Kane will probably not win the Ballon d'Or this year because of his England team-mates. He believes that the annual award will go to the star player of the team that wins the World Cup.Carragher feels Lionel Messi will if Argentina retain their title, and sees either Kylian Mbappe or Michael Olise being in line if France win it.
However, that form coinciding with a World Cup could ultimately hinder his chances of earning individual accolades, according to ex-England star Carragher.Carragher wrote in The Telegraph : "If the vote for the Ballon d'Or was being held right now, Kane would be the worthy winner, his heroics for England against DR Congo absorbing his 72nd goal of this season."Only Lionel Messi has recently hit those kinds of numbers. Much as I want to believe England can still win it, there is nothing to support that opinion, especially after recent performances.Get the latest World Cup news straight to your inbox by signing up to our Make Football Great Again newsletter now!"If Argentina retain the cup, Messi will win the Ballon d'Or.
Kane's Bayern team-mate Michael Olise is a strong contender, and even though, by Kylian Mbappe's standards, he has had a frustrating year with his club, that will be forgotten when judged against his fantastic World Cup displays."Another of the Paris St-Germain stars might be celebrating a personal accolade, even though their Champions League win felt more of a team effort than the consequence of one outstanding contribution. Messi and Ronaldo also never won the tournament during their ten years passing the trophy back and forth.Therefore, Messi was the first player to win the Ballon d'Or after World Cup success in 17 years, since Fabio Cannavaro, who won it in 2006.