For a Ballon d'Or it was right to show Spurs the door and become a big winner with Bayern, Kane

FOR someone who once took his collection of golden balls on holiday, and used one to decorate the top of the family Christmas tree, Harry Kane does a mighty fine job of downplaying the importance of individual recognition.

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Which is probably why England's captain will not make any public fuss over his derisory 13th-placed ranking in this year's Ballon d'Or vote.

I am far from alone in repeatedly suggesting Kane is a player who remains distinctly underrated.

But as a sports journalist who am I to complain? The Football Writers' Association of this country has never given its Footballer of the Year award to Kane.

Kane - but they have never voted him their Player of the Year.

And other so-called good judges have not been generous with their accolades.

In his last FIVE seasons with Tottenham, Kane won ONE Player of the Month award.

There may be several factors involved in why he does not poll as well as he should in individual awards, but there is one glaringly obvious reason - a lack of trophies.

Last season's Bundesliga triumph was the first major team trophy of his career.