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Harry Kane has become the first English footballer in 25 years to win the prestigious Ballon d’Or, claiming the top individual honour at a ceremony in London.
The Bayern Munich striker was recognised after an outstanding season in which he scored an impressive 73 goals for club and country. His achievement makes him the first English winner since Michael Owen, who received the award in 2001.
Kane now joins an illustrious list of English football legends who have won the Ballon d’Or, including Sir Stanley Matthews, Sir Bobby Charlton, Kevin Keegan and Owen.
The England captain emerged victorious ahead of Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe and Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal, securing the award presented by French magazine France Football.
Speaking on stage after receiving the honour, an emotional Kane admitted he was struggling to find the right words to describe the moment.
“Wow, I’m almost speechless,” he said, thanking France Football and the Ballon d’Or organisers for the event. He added that winning the award in London made the occasion even more meaningful, describing the location as a good omen.
Kane also expressed gratitude to everyone who voted for him, acknowledging that choosing a winner must have been a difficult decision.
Reflecting on his journey to the top of world football, the striker thanked England, Bayern Munich and his former club Tottenham Hotspur for their roles in his career.
He used his acceptance speech to encourage young people pursuing their ambitions, stressing that success is possible regardless of the obstacles along the way.
Kane explained that his career had not followed a straightforward path, highlighting the loan spells and challenges he experienced before establishing himself among football’s elite. He said he hoped his story would inspire young boys and girls to continue working towards their dreams.
However, the ceremony was overshadowed by confusion in the hours leading up to the announcement. The official Ballon d’Or website published three separate articles identifying Kane, Yamal and Mbappe as the winner of the 2026 men’s award, sparking uncertainty over who had actually claimed the prize.
The event also suffered a further setback when organisers delayed the start by 45 minutes because of traffic congestion in London. The ceremony, originally expected to begin earlier, eventually got underway at 8:45 pm.
Despite the pre-ceremony confusion and delay, Kane’s triumph marked a significant milestone for English football, ending a 25-year wait for one of the sport’s most celebrated individual honours.