Kane Reveals Who He Would Dedicate His Ballon d’Or to as Wembley Turns Gold

Harry Kane Wins Ballon d’Or to Become England’s First Recipient Since 2001

Harry Kane was crowned the men’s Ballon d’Or winner in London, becoming the first Englishman in 25 years to receive football’s most prestigious individual award. The last English winner was Michael Owen in 2001.

The Bayern Munich striker beat Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappé after a prolific season in which he scored 73 goals in 65 appearances for club and country. Kane’s goals helped Bayern secure a domestic league and cup double, while he also scored six times as England finished third at the World Cup.

A Landmark Night in London

The ceremony was the first Ballon d’Or event held on English soil. Despite delays caused by London traffic, the evening ended with a historic moment for the hometown forward.

Kane thanked his Bayern teammates, saying their support and competitiveness had helped make the award possible. He also spoke about the pride of representing England and bringing the trophy home.

“Without you guys and the rest of the team it wouldn’t be possible, the way you push me and the way we compete. So thank you very much.”

“I love to represent my country. To bring this trophy back and have an English winner, especially here in London, is really special.”

Move to Bayern Elevated Kane’s Career

Despite becoming England and Tottenham’s all-time leading scorer, Kane had previously won few major team honours. He lost the 2019 Champions League final with Tottenham and experienced two European Championship final defeats with England.

His move to Bayern in 2023 proved a turning point. Kane said the decision was about challenging himself, improving as a player and competing alongside a new group of teammates. He has since finished as the Bundesliga’s leading scorer for three straight seasons and was Europe’s top club goalscorer in 2025–26.

“Some people saw it as a risk, but for me it was always about improving and seeing if I could get better. It has pushed me onto another level.”

Yamal and Mbappé Complete the Podium

Yamal finished third after winning the young player award for a third consecutive year, while Mbappé took second place. Alexia Putellas won the women’s Ballon d’Or for a third time.

For Kane, the award recognizes a season of extraordinary scoring and marks a milestone for English football.

Source: CNA, with reporting by AFP. Photo: AFP/Franck Fife.