5 players (apart from Messi/Ronaldo) who have shown Ballon d’Or-worthy abilities this season

Modified Feb 21, 2018 11:19 GMT

The eternal duo have dominated the award for the past decade, can someone else win it in 2018? — The duo has dominated the award for the past decade, can someone else win it in 2018?

#4 Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur & England)

Rochdale v Tottenham Hotspur - The Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round — Kane has delivered another 20+ goal tally this season

What is there to be said about Harry Kane; that he is a goalscoring machine or that he is steadily becoming the premier striker in world football? All these are facts.

The Hurri-Kane as he is fondly called by admirers has consolidated his world-class status by having another 20+ season in terms of goals (his fourth in a row) and the big thing is; he is now doing them on the biggest stage; the UEFA Champions League.

An inability to deliver on the continent had been one of the sticks with which he has been flogged but Kane has responded in style this season with 7 goals in just 6 games in this season’s UEFA Champions League and following Spurs’ 2-2 draw away at Juventus in the round of 16, the signs are good that the Walthamstow-born striker will add even more to his goal haul.

He has gotten better this season at being more than a goalscorer; his linking up with midfield runners like Dele Alli and Heung-Min Son has improved greatly while his ability to hold up possession, draw defenders into himself and defensive diligence have also improved.

With the constant rumours linking him to Real Madrid a feature of transfer speculation every other day, Kane has stayed focused and continued to deliver the goals for club and country.

Depending on what Spurs and England can achieve this year, Kane’s chances of winning the Ballon d’Or are as bright as anyone not named Messi or Ronaldo is.