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Why Mbappe vs Kane is a battle for the Ballon d'Or as well as the Champions League
Watch the Champions League on DAZN - US, CA & NZ
The Champions League is down to its final eight, and among the two quartets of European giants, it's the clash between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich on Tuesday night which is perhaps the most eagerly anticipated tie of the round.
Spearheading the two sides are two players arguably in the form of their careers, with almost identical goals for the remainder of 2025-26, as Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe set their sights on a history-making year.
Not only for their clubs, where they are eyeing European glory for the first time in their careers, and not only for their countries as talismen for France and England this summer, but for individual gold too, a big gold Ballon d'Or ball to be precise.
Because if one or the other does lead their team and/or country to memorable triumphs, given their own individual performances, they'll be front-runners to lift the game's biggest individual honour in 2026. However, it could be at the expense of the other, thanks to this Champions League showdown.
The case for Kane
Harry Kane is expected to be back for this crunch fixture following the minor knock that kept him out of England's friendly with Japan and Munich's weekend win over Freiburg, and returns to continue a season of amazing numbers.
The England skipper has netted 48 goals in 40 games for the German outfit, as they look odds-on to retain their league crown. Kane is just 10 shy of the Bundesliga record set by Robert Lewandowski, and this campaign passed the 500-goal mark, making him the deadliest English striker of all time.
A third top scorer gong in Germany is already a given - he's also notched five assists, too - and another league championship as well. However, adding a Champions League (where he's scored 10 times already) would only strengthen his case for being the best in the world in 2026.
Then there's the World Cup. The 32-year-old already has one Golden Boot to his name, but given the form he's in, you'd back him to bag another in the States. However, leading England to the ultimate triumph might just be enough, with tournament wins often going a long way in deciding the Ballon d'Or vote.
Kane has always been a world-class hitman, but it came with a notion of something to prove. In 2026, he proved that his reputation is warranted, and it could yet come with the ultimate reward.
First things first, though, and finding the net against Madrid - a rare feat he's yet to achieve in his goal-laden career. Getty Images
Mbappe's moment
In the other corner, also feeling his way back to full fitness but ready to fire Real into the Champions League final four, is Kylian Mbappe.
The Frenchman, like Kane, is also eyeing a career-best season, having scored 38 times in 36 games for the Spanish club, with 13 of them coming in the Champions League.
It's the one trophy still missing from the CV of the 27-year-old, who has won pretty much everything else and seemed destined to be a Ballon d'Or winner since he first burst into the Monaco team all those years ago.
Getty Images
Given his starring role in Madrid now, where he's odds on to top the goalscoring charts, it feels like now is the time for Mbappe to finally fulfil that destiny.
That starts by knocking Bayern out of the Champions League, because without a run to at least the semis, the forward's chances start to diminish.
Of course, there's the summer, too. With France installed as favourites to win a third World Cup, Mbappe is their headline act, and if he plays at the same level we saw in Qatar, only this time with the French victorious, then the big gold ball could finally be his.
With only Lamine Yamal as a possible rival to the two men involved in this elite Champions League clash, the Ballon d'Or race could really come down to who outshines whom in this quarter-final crunch tie.
Can Kane end a 25-year wait for an Englishman to win it and finally take his place as the game's greatest forward, or will Mbappe wear the crown that he's always been earmarked for? We can't wait to watch on and find out.
How to watch the Champions League on DAZN
Soccer fans in the US can watch the Champions League in Spanish language as part of their DAZN subscription package.
An annual upfront payment is $224.99 , while paying monthly for 12 months is $19.99 and also provides access to 185 fight nights a year across boxing, MMA, PFL, BKFC, Glory and much more.
CBS has coverage of every Champions League match in English language this season. You can get more details and subscribe to CBS's Champions League coverage here.
Fans can watch extra Champions League games in Spanish on ViX. A selection of those matches are also available on UNIMÁS and TUDN.
How to watch the Champions League in New Zealand on DAZN
Every Champions League game during the 2025-26 season is streamed in high definition and comes as part of a DAZN subscription.
An annual subscription costs $14.99 per month for 12 months and also provides access to 185 fight nights a year across boxing, MMA, PFL, BKFC, Glory and much more.
How to watch the Champions League in Canada on DAZN
Watch every game of the Champions League this season in Canada with a DAZN subscription.
There are three subscription options, each offering a different selection of sports. Access to every Champions League match is included in all three package offerings, ranging from $29.99 to $44.99 per month (for 12 months)
