England star ‘very close’ to Harry Kane and Declan Rice in Ballon d’Or race
Bukayo Saka is hot on the heels of Harry Kane and Declan Rice among England’s leading Ballon d’Or candidates.
That is the view of Premier League great Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, who believes Saka has every chance of becoming the first English player in 25 years to scoop football’s ultimate individual prize.
Not since 2001 has a player from these shores won the prestigious award, when Michael Owen was named the best player in Europe.
However, the impressive club form of English duo Kane and Rice has sparked talk that the long wait could be ended in 2026.
Kane is among the favourites for the Ballon d’Or with most bookmakers – behind Kylian Mbappe – after a stellar season for Bayern Munich which has already seen him fire in 45 goals in all competitions.
Meanwhile, Rice is also a red-hot contender having played a central role in Arsenal‘s quest for a first Premier League title since 2004.
Hasselbaink’s verdict
With the Ballon d’Or not decided until October, there is plenty of time for Kane and Rice to strengthen their cases by delivering silverware for their respective teams this season.
As well as chasing league glory, Arsenal remain in the hunt for a stunning Quadruple, while Bayern are targeting a seventh European crown in the Champions League.
One man who has plenty of first-hand experience with both Kane and Rice is former Chelsea goal machine Hasselbaink, who was part of England’s coaching team between 2023 and 2024.
Joining Monday’s talkSPORT Breakfast, the Dutchman was asked which of the two was most deserving of the individual award.
He said: “I think Declan Rice has been more or less perfect, as perfect as he can be over the whole season.
“But then, if you look at what Harry Kane is doing in Germany – it’s just ridiculous.
“So, either one of the two is good for me.”
Saka ‘very close behind’
After talking up Kane and Rice’s Ballon d’Or credentials, Hasselbaink tipped another Englishman to enter the conversation.
After the discussion moved to the Three Lions’ starting XI at the 2026 World Cup, the former striker was in no doubt over who should take the right-wing berth.
Naming Saka as the clear pick here, Hasselbaink then offered a glowing assessment of the Arsenal star.
He said: “You asked me that question earlier about Harry Kane and Rice – the Ballon d’Or.
“I think Saka would be very, very, close behind them, or in that same group. That’s how much I think of him.”
Despite struggling to replicate his impressive numbers in previous seasons, Saka has remained a key cog in an Arsenal side which lead the Premier League by five points.
To date, he has eight goals and seven assists from 36 appearances this term for the Gunners.
It is a sharp reduction from his goal contributions in the 2024/25 campaign, where he contributed 12 goals and 14 assists in 37 games.
But his importance for both club and country cannot be understated, with the winger becoming a mainstay on the wing for England at their last three major tournaments.
The 24-year-old’s huge value at Arsenal has also been rewarded recently, having penned a lucrative new deal at the Emirates.
talkSPORT understands that Saka will be paid north of £300,000-a-week, overtaking Kai Havertz as the club’s highest paid player.
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