Mbappé and Yamal targeted by Kane after his Ballon d’Or win ? .. Danks sets the record straight
The message from Harry Kane, crowned the 2026 Ballon d’Or winner, posted on his personal account “Work hard in silence. Let success be your noise.” raised questions about whether it was directed at Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappé, his competitors for the Ballon d’Or.

Danks discusses Kane’s message and Kompany’s health
At the press conference ahead of tomorrow’s Wednesday match between Bayern and Magdeburg, Aaron Danks, the Bavarian team’s assistant coach, described the message as a positive idea for young people, while denying that it was directed at any particular player.
Danks highlighted that Kane had been criticised because of the lack of trophies in his career, despite reaching the European Championship final with England and the Champions League final with Tottenham, before starting to win trophies with Bayern Munich.
Regarding Kane’s Ballon d’Or win, Danks said: « I can’t say that I was totally confident, because he was competing with top-level players. I think the gap in terms of results was extremely small between him and Kylian Mbappé, without forgetting the performances produced by Lamine Yamal this year. »
Danks continued: « I’m very happy for him, as well as for the club and Bayern Munich. » He also said he was proud to see his compatriot crowned, becoming the first Englishman to win the Ballon d’Or since Michael Owen in 2001.
Danks also confirmed that Kane was ready to face Magdeburg: « It’s a great moment for him and a tremendous achievement. He will join the other players who travelled and are expected to return around midday today. He will then train this evening and be available to take part in tomorrow’s match. »
Regarding the health of Vincent Kompany, Bayern Munich’s coach, Danks said he had recently visited him, adding: « He remains in good spirits and is recovering day by day », while clarifying that there were no important updates regarding the diagnosis or the date of his return to work.
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