Harry Kane keeps scoring for Bayern, but his mind is already on Monday's Ballon d'Or

Harry Kane scored again, and this time the headline matters a little less than usual, because what everyone really wants to know is what happens on Monday. The Bayern Munich forward found the net in a 2-2 draw against Arsenal at the Allianz Arena, stretching his run to ten straight matches scoring in the Champions League, a streak only topped by Cristiano Ronaldo's eleven. But after the final whistle, reporters had less interest in the goal than in the Ballon d'Or.

Kane is the bookmakers' favorite to become the first Englishman to lift the award since Michael Owen did it in 2001. That's no small feat, especially with heavyweight rivals among the 30 nominees, including Barcelona's Lamine Yamal and Lionel Messi, who now plays for Inter Miami CF. The gala takes place on Monday, and as is customary with France Football, nobody knows the result until that night: organizers don't tip off the winner beforehand. That didn't stop Real Madrid from boycotting the 2024 ceremony after learning, through a leak, that Vinicius Junior had missed out on the award in favor of Rodri.

For Kane, 33, that kind of uncertainty doesn't sit entirely well. He said as much, without mincing words, to reporters after the match.

They want everyone to go, all the big names, and there will be more people watching if they don't know, so I understand why they do it that way. From my point of view, of course I'd love to know so I don't have to wait around all night. But it's their decision, I can't control that. We'll just have to enjoy it and try not to stress too much.Harry Kane

The forward also admitted he's trying to keep his focus elsewhere, though he conceded that's not always easy with so many rumors swirling.

I try not to think about it. Obviously it's hard not to. There are always rumors going around and you try to stay away from all of that. Today we had an important game, and I know we've got another important one on Sunday before Monday's event, so that's where my focus is. Of course I'm going to try to enjoy Monday night as much as possible. It's a big occasion, so we'll just have to wait and see.Harry Kane

While that gala night approaches, Bayern have more down to earth matters to sort out. In the Champions League they've managed one win and two draws in the league phase, leaving them in 14th place for now, a spot that doesn't fully reflect the team's quality but still demands a course correction. Before that, on Sunday, the Bavarians host Freiburg, third in the Bundesliga, in a head to head clash to keep their grip on the German league. Kane knows the order of priorities: the pitch first, the Ballon d'Or after.