Harry Kane has become the first English winner of the Ballon d’Or in 25 years after being honoured at a ceremony in London.
Michael Owen was the last player from England to receive the prestigious individual accolade in 2001, but Kane’s incredible 73-goal haul last season for club and country earned him the award from French magazine France Football.
Bayern Munich forward Kane was a popular winner in the capital and has followed in the footsteps of Sir Stanley Matthews, Sir Bobby Charlton, Kevin Keegan and Owen as a Ballon d’Or winner from England.
Kane beat Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe and Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal to the award.
“Thank you to everyone for voting for me. I can imagine it was very tough. Thank you to everyone who voted for me.”
Kane, who thanked England, Bayern and former club Tottenham, said: “It’s just the journey. For any young boy or girl who wants to achieve their dream, anything is possible.
“I hope my journey, it wasn’t straightforward, I didn’t go straight to the top, I had to experience a lot of loan moves and fight my way to get to where I am now. I hope that can give you inspiration, and thank you very much.”
There was chaos just hours before the ceremony as the Ballon d’Or website published three separate articles naming Kane, Lamine Yamal and Mbappe as the winner of the 2026 men’s award.
Then, in a further twist, the ceremony was delayed by 45 minutes to an 8.45 pm start due to London traffic.
