Gnabry Backs Kane to Win Ballon d'Or After Incredible Goal-Scoring Year

Bayern Munich winger Serge Gnabry has backed his strike partner Harry Kane to win this year's Ballon d'Or, saying the England captain deserves the prize after an incredible run of goals.

Gnabry spoke ahead of Wednesday's Champions League game against his old club Arsenal. Kane is said to be in a two-horse race for the award with Barcelona's Lamine Yamal, the La Liga and World Cup winner.

Speaking to TNT Sports, Gnabry said Kane has shown his worth again and again. "He's shown it time and time again, how valuable he is. How much he has improved since coming here - an incredible player," he said.

He added: "Very deserving. I said it earlier at a press conference. I don't know who decides the markers on who deserves to win that trophy, but he has had an incredible year. He's still in great form, still scoring a lot of goals, so valuable to our team. I would wish it for him, he deserves that trophy."

Kane's case rests on a huge 61-goal season for his club, which ended with the Bundesliga title. He also captained England to the World Cup semi-finals, where they lost to Argentina.

The 33-year-old has kept that form going this season. He has nine goals and six assists in 10 games in all competitions, including three goals in two Champions League matches. That has helped Bayern sit top of the Bundesliga on 14 points, level with Borussia Dortmund.

Asked what it is like to play next to Kane, Gnabry called him a "big example" and said: "He scores a lot of goals. The right mindset, he's always in the game, focused. In that sense, a calm through the storm, and sets the bar high."

The game against Arsenal is a special one for Gnabry. He left the Gunners in 2016 after struggling for chances under Arsene Wenger. He joined Werder Bremen, moved to Bayern a year later and spent the 2017-18 season on loan at Hoffenheim.

He also played alongside Mikel Arteta at Arsenal, and now faces him as a manager. Gnabry praised the job Arteta did in leading the club to the title last season. 

"It wasn't an easy project. For him to last that long, to have that success, and make them champions again, is a very big achievement. Probably a bigger achievement than some achievements by bigger coaches."

He made it clear where his loyalties lie this week, though. "I've played for the club, so in some ways I'm happy for them, but of course, tomorrow, I'm playing for Bayern Munich. They're my current club, and we need to win tomorrow."

Once the Arsenal game is done, all eyes turn to the Ballon d'Or ceremony on Monday, October 26. Kane is also expected to sort out his long-term future in the coming weeks. He is widely tipped to sign a new deal at Bayern, with his current contract running out in the summer of 2027.