Harry Kane has developed a special connection with football fans in India, and the Bayern Munich and England striker says his admiration for the Indian Premier League (IPL) has made that bond even more unique.
With Kane emerging as a strong contender for the 2026 Ballon d'Or, fans in India have also been backing the Englishman for the prestigious award.
Kane spoke to NDTV about the support he has received from Indian fans and revealed his interest in the IPL. The striker also expressed his desire to visit India someday.
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"Thank you very much. You know, I think I have a special relationship with the fans in India. I appreciate all their support. Would love to go out there one day. They know I'm a big IPL fan as well, so I would love to do that," Kane told NDTV in Germany.
"But yeah, as always, appreciate the fans all around the world, and yeah, thank you for all the support in India."
Kane's comments come at a time when he is being widely discussed as one of the leading contenders for the Ballon d'Or. A Bayern Munich player has not won the award since Karl-Heinz Rummenigge claimed it in 1980 and 1981.
Franck Ribery and Robert Lewandowski have since come very close, but neither managed to end the club's wait for the prestigious individual honour.
However, Kane insists that his attention remains on team success rather than individual recognition. After a strong previous campaign, the Bayern striker said the UEFA Champions League remains the club's biggest target.
"Yeah, look, as I said before, it's the new season now, and I wanted to start this season with a trophy. I've already said last year was incredible on many levels, from a personal level and as a team," said Kane, who also led England to the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-finals over the summer.
"Like I said, just falling short in one trophy, but our aim is to push now. We want obviously the Champions League as the big aim going into every season. It's a long journey ahead, but from our point of view, this is the first of four trophies, and hopefully we can continue."
The 33-year-old was directly involved in seven goals at the World Cup, scoring six and providing one assist.
The England captain also backed defending champions Paris Saint-Germain as the favourites ahead of the Champions League 2026-27 draw, while naming Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Real Madrid and Barcelona among the other leading contenders.
"I think PSG will be favourites, obviously winning it back-to-back. But of course Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Real Madrid, Barcelona, all the top teams. You know, you're at the start. You're at the bottom of the mountain, it's a long mountain to climb," said England's record goal-scorer.
Bayern Munich were knocked out by PSG in the semi-finals of the Champions League last season. They lost the high-scoring first leg 4-5 before drawing the second leg 1-1, with PSG advancing 6-5 on aggregate.
PSG went on to win the Champions League, beating Arsenal 4-3 on penalties in the final.
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"A lot of games, eight group games and then obviously the knockout stages. Like I just touched on there, I thought we had a really good campaign last year. We lost to a top PSG side by the finest of margins, so sometimes you have to take that on the chin," he added.
"But yeah, from day one since I've been here, I know since the boys have been here, the boss has got everyone back down to work. Last season is done now, it's about pushing this year, and obviously that's a big goal of ours," he concluded.
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