Declan Rice backs Harry Kane for Ballon d’Or despite his OWN nomination as Arsenal ace reveals surprise summer antics

DECLAN RICE would “love” for Harry Kane to win the Ballon d’Or – despite being nominated for the award himself. The Arsenal star is on the 30-man shortlist for the prestigious prize, which will be handed out next month at the London Palladium. Harry Kane celebrates with Declan Rice after the England captain scored a brace in the round of 32 against DR Congo at the World Cup Credit: Getty Kane and Rice put in the hard yards playing together for England at the World Cup Credit: Getty But the midfielder believes England captain Kane deserves to come out on top after scoring 73 goals in 65 matches for club and country last season. Rice said: “It’s the second year in a row I have been nominated. It’s obviously really good, I’m really proud. Sign up for the Arsenal newsletter Thank you! “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 trio have been shortlisted after helping the Gunners win the Premier League for the first time in 22 years last season. And Rice believes he will be driven to new heights this term following the signing of fellow midfielder Bruno Guimaraes. The Brazilian joined from Newcastle for £75million and means Arsenal are now stacked for options in the middle of the park. Rice said: “I feel incredibly blessed to play with these players. Most read in Sport BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK Declan Rice (left of centre) and Harry Kane (right of centre) celebrate alongside Elliot Anderson (left) and Ollie Watkins (right) after England’s 3-2 win over Mexico in the World Cup round of 16 Credit: Alamy “We have six incredible midfield options and at whatever point, whoever the manager selects to play, I’m always going to be supporting the boys. “Now I had that feeling of winning last season, that’s all I want to do again this year. “And with this midfield and whoever he selects, we’ve got to be supportive of each other. “So, I’m really looking forward to this season with every one of them. It’s going to be really special.” Meanwhile, Rice is ready for another marathon season with Arsenal and England. The midfielder played 69 games last term and confessed the World Cup was “tough” as he battled hamstring pain. But Rice, who chalked up his fifth appearance of the season on Wednesday night as Arsenal beat Napoli 1-0, isn’t worried. He said: “For the last six seasons, even since my West Ham days when we were in Europe, I’ve played 60-plus [games] every season. Kane has been on fire for Bayern since joining the Bavarians from Tottenham in 2023 Credit: Getty “So I think it is sustainable because I’ve shown that I can do it. It’s just about maintaining it, maintaining the level and the consistency of the performances. “For me, that’s the main thing, showing up every week, giving a good account of myself and helping the team win. “I’ve been lucky enough to be able to do that. So I’m really hungry to be able to do that again this season. “In the summer I took three complete weeks off. I didn’t do anything. “I let it really rest, let it settle down and come back refreshed, feeling ready, ready to go again. “I feel really good at the minute and in really good form. So long may it continue.” Rice played a pivotal role last season in helping Arsenal win the Premier League for the first time in 22 years. The midfielder was also key in helping the Gunners reach the Champions League final, where they lost to Paris Saint-Germain on penalties. Rice and Arsenal are determined to go one better in Europe this season and win the Champions League Credit: Getty But Rice endured a difficult World Cup in the summer and had to manage a hamstring issue as England finished third. The Arsenal star completed 90 minutes just three times at the tournament and also spent three days in bed ill before the quarter-final win over Norway. Rice said: “It was tough. I think everyone knew I had an issue with a neural hamstring. “But also on the top of the Premier League season, which was so demanding, the Champions League, to then play a World Cup in that heat really does take its toll. “I’m a player that goes on the pitch, wants to be fresh and give 100 per cent every time I put on an England shirt. And yes, there were stages where I felt really, really good and stages where I didn’t feel I was good. “Obviously I had the illness going into the Norway game, which didn’t really help. “So there were a few things that frustrated me, just with myself, just not feeling 100 per cent. But there were games where I felt really good, like DR Congo. “So it’s one of those things I just had to manage. And like I said, in the summer, I just took a complete time off.” Comment now