The former Bayern Munich defender considers football's biggest individual award as more important to forwards and discussed why German players playing in the Bundesliga struggle to for the Ballon d'Or

MÜNCHEN (Bulinews) Former Bayern Munich star Philipp Lahm, speaking at a media round attended by Bulinews.com, was delighted with Harry Kane’s Ballon d’Or triumph but feels the striker would trade it in for top honours in Europe. 

“It’s a personal award. I think [winning it] is more important for the offensive players rather than the rest. So, [someone like ex-Bayern star] Franck Ribery will be happy Kane won the Ballon d’Or.

“We all know how important the FC Bayern team is for Kane’s success too. Since I never had the chance to win this award, as a captain I think more of the team as a whole. 

“I think Harry Kane would exchange his Ballon d’Or for a Champions League title. Most players grew up playing as a team from a very young age,” Lahm explained, alluding to the collective aspect of football teams.

Interestingly, the 2014 World Cup winner went on to explain why he feels it is difficult to win the Ballon d’Or as a German playing in the domestic top-flight. His theory is largely linked to external noise and catching the public eye. 

“As for Kane and Michael Olise [ranked 9th in the Ballon d’Or], they came from another country. I think it’s quite difficult for a German player playing in the Bundesliga to win this award. Think of Florian Wirtz for example.

“It’s all about the attention. When you are successful with the German national team then you become visible. Then when you play successful football for a club like Liverpool, the attention in the UK is much bigger. 

“That’s important for this award. It [less attention] makes it more difficult for a player to win it in the Bundesliga rather than changing to another league [and club]. But I do hope the best players stay in the Bundesliga.

“I hope with players like Harry Kane that a lot of other players will follow now it’s possible to win [the Ballon d’Or playing in the Bundesliga],” Lahm concluded, underlining his hope that others may be inspired by the Englishman.