The England captain is one of the leading players nominated for the 2025/26 Ballon d'Or award after an incredible season so far for Bayern which has seen him hit he 30-goal mark at club level despite it only being January.
Owen knows Kane needs to perform at the World Cup
He sit comfortably at the top of the Bundesliga top scorer charts and will be aiming to lift the league title once more this season.
However, speaking in association with English Premier League betting, Owen has revealed that Kane will have to perform at the World Cup if he is to come close to winning the Ballon d’Or.
"I use the phrase perfect storm. Ballon d’Or is a perfect storm scenario, you need to be having an exceptional season yourself and be in an exceptional team - or at least a winning team. All of that helps and gives you a huge advantage.
"Bayern Munich are going to win the league, they are miles clear, if they won the Champions League, and he had a decent World Cup, then absolutely Harry Kane would have a chance of picking up that prize. It’s just ifs and buts.
"In World Cup year, a lot depends on who wins the World Cup. That is going to carry so much weight. Somebody can have an average season but if they are top scorer at the World Cup and score the winner in the final, it’s pretty hard to argue that they haven’t just contributed to the ultimate prize of all-time, and that’s going to carry a lot of weight. If he stays fit and healthy and does well, and his team are good, then of course he has got a big chance."
Kane understands what he has to do
Kane agrees and has said he thinks he will need to win the World Cup or the UEFA Champions League to be in contention for the Ballon d’Or.
"I could score 100 goals this season, but if I don’t win the Champions League or the World Cup, you’re probably not going to win the Ballon d’Or," Kane said.
"It’s the same with Haaland, it’s the same with any player. You have to be winning those major trophies."
Winning both domestically and internationally should help Kane win the award, making him the first English Ballon d’Or winner since Owen two decades ago.