Declan Rice knows who he wants to win Ballon d'Or and it's NOT an Arsenal player

· Mirror

Declan Rice is among the 30 players nominated for the Ballon d'Or but the Arsenal star is already backing one of his England team-mates to scoop the historic award

Declan Rice admits he wants to see England colleague Harry Kane win the Ballon d'Or - despite being nominated for the award himself.

The Bayern Munich superstar, formerly of Tottenham, has just enjoyed a stellar year and is the favourite to scoop the Golden Ball, which will be handed out in London later this year. If successful Kane would be the first English winner in a quarter of a century.

Rice's impressive year has him among the 30 nominees with the Arsenal midfielder winning the Premier League, reaching the Champions League final and helping England make the last four of the World Cup.

Meanwhile, in Germany, Bayern talisman Kane helped the Bavarians retain their German crown during a year that saw him score 73 goals in 65 matches for club and country - and Rice is backing his compatriot to claim the Ballon d'Or off the back of that.

> The Arsenal midfielder said: “It’s the second year in a row I have been nominated. It’s obviously really good, I’m really proud. Obviously I know who I want to win it. I’d love to see Harry Kane win it, so I’m wishing him all the best in that.”

Rice is one of three Arsenal players nominated for the Ballon d’Or, alongside Gabriel and William Saliba. The pair have forged a central defensive partnership that is regarded among Europe's best. Individually they have also both lapped up huge plaudits.

This is the most open Ballon d'Or for years, owing to different individuals enjoying success at club and international level. PSG retained their Champions League crown whilst Spain backed up their Euro 2024 triumph by winning the World Cup. Fabian Ruiz is the only player to play for both, but few expect him to claim the award.

Kane, despite his goalscoring exploits, was beaten to the best Bundesliga player award by Frenchman Michael Olise. Les Blues icon Kylian Mbappe broke the record for goals scored at a World Cup, but he ultimately ended the season without a trophy.

Ousmane Dembele, the current holder, Lamine Yamal, Rodri and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia are all being discussed as potential winners, but each of them also have arguments against.

Since Luka Modric broke the duopoly of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in 2018 there have been five different winners across the seven years.

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