Harry Kane Honours Doctor Alejandro Elorriaga After Ballon d’Or Win
Harry Kane’s record-breaking 2025-26 campaign has brought fresh attention to Alejandro Elorriaga Claraco, the Madrid-born sports doctor whom the Bayern Munich and England forward regards as a major influence on his durability and development. Kane singled out Elorriaga when receiving the Ballon d’Or, recognising a relationship that began during a serious injury lay-off at Tottenham.
Key facts
| Item | Figure or date | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Initial injury | 1 January 2020 | Complete tear of the left hamstring tendon, requiring surgery |
| Work with Elorriaga | Since March 2020 | Individual recovery and physical preparation programme |
| 2025-26 return | 73 goals in 65 matches | For Bayern Munich and England, Kane’s best scoring season |
Kane suffered the tendon rupture while playing for Tottenham and was forced into an extended absence after surgery. Elorriaga began working with the striker in March 2020, helping shape his rehabilitation before continuing as part of his individual conditioning set-up.
Their work has extended well beyond recovery from that original injury. Elorriaga has overseen tailored sessions intended to maintain Kane’s fitness, refine his physical output and manage the demands placed on an elite forward across domestic, European and international commitments.
Speaking in September, Kane said the doctor had been “extremely important” to his success. He stressed that much of their work happens away from public view, but credited Elorriaga as one of the people who have enabled him to sustain his level, remain available for a heavy match schedule and keep improving.
That continuity has been particularly significant during Kane’s Bayern spell, where he has produced the strongest goalscoring numbers of his career. His 73-goal haul across 65 appearances for club and country in 2025-26 underlined both his finishing and his ability to stay on the pitch through a demanding season.
Elorriaga’s medical background
Elorriaga, who has spent much of his professional life in Canada, has led McMaster University’s contemporary medical acupuncture programme since 1998. He also serves as a clinical professor in the university’s anaesthesia department.
His work centres on pain treatment and restoring function, with experience in supporting professional athletes. While he has generally avoided a public profile, Kane’s repeated acknowledgement of his contribution has made his role more visible.
For Kane, the support network behind his success includes his teammates, Bayern’s environment and his own preparation. Elorriaga’s contribution is less apparent than the goals and celebrations, but the striker has made clear that it has been an important part of the path to his most productive years.
