Michael Owen Explains Why Harry Kane And Jude Bellingham Both "Have The Ingredients" To Become Ballon d'Or Winners

No English player has won the Ballon d'Or since Michael Owen in 2001. But Owen thinks Harry Kane or Jude Bellingham could win the award in the next few years.

No English player has won the Ballon d'Or since Michael Owen in 2001.

But Owen would not be at all surprised to see either Harry Kane or Jude Bellingham receive the prestigious prize in the next few years.

Both Kane and Bellingham have been shortlisted for the 2023 men's Ballon d'Or, which will be presented on Monday night.

Although 30 players have been shortlisted, it is widely seen as a two-horse race between Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland.

However, Owen believes that Bayern Munich striker Kane and Real Madrid midfielder Bellingham can be serious contenders in future years, especially if they win the UEFA Champions League.

Jude Bellingham (left) and Harry Kane pictured celebrating a goal during England's 3-1 win over Italy earlier this month :: IMAGO/PRiME Media Images/David Horn

"It's a simple process with the Ballon d'Or," Owen told DAZN Bet this week. "You need to be in a successful team, and you need to be the star player in that team.

"Kane and Bellingham are in successful teams now, both have the opportunity to win their domestic leagues and then have the opportunity to win the Champions League as well.

"If they do that, and have a good international season as well and are the star men, then you put yourself in with a chance of winning it."

Owen's 2001 Ballon d'Or success came after he was part of a Liverpool team that won five trophies that year - the FA Cup, League Cup, UEFA Cup, Charity Shield and UEFA Super Cup.

Michael Owen pictured in 2001 holding the Ballon d'Or trophy :: IMAGO/Buzzi

"I look back to the year I won it, we won trophies in that individual year, and I was the top goalscorer in that team - I believe it was 28 goals," Owen recalled.

"Then we had a really successful international time too, qualifying for the World Cup where I scored my hat-trick in Germany, creating a historic win.

"That whole season really fell into place for me and we were a successful team, winning a European competition. If you're not in a Euros or a World Cup year then obviously the Champions League probably takes more of a pecking order.

"It's just a simple combination of being the star man in a star team. And both Kane and Bellingham have the ingredients to do it."

Kane, 30, and Bellingham, 20, have both started the 2023/24 season in fine form.

Following his summer move from Tottenham, Kane has scored 11 goals in 12 games for Bayern, while Bellingham has produced 11 goals and three assists in his first 12 appearances for Madrid.