Harry Kane collected the 2026 Ballon d’Or at a ceremony in London on Monday, the first English winner since Michael Owen in 2001, Sky Sports reports. He finished ahead of Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé and Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal after a 73-goal season for Bayern Munich and England.
Thomas Tuchel’s tribute to his captain was posted through England’s official channels.
“I ran out of superlatives to describe your performances a long time ago, but I’m delighted to see that you have now been formally recognised by the football world,” the England manager said.
Captaincy weighs as heavily as the goals
Tuchel kept returning to Kane’s role in the squad, not the numbers next to his name. He called it extra special that Kane had become the first Englishman to win the honour in 25 years, adding that the squad was lucky to have him as its leader.
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Kane, 33, has captained England throughout Tuchel’s tenure and is the player the manager has built his side around.
A season Bayern cashed in
Kane’s 73-goal haul last season for club and country earned him the award from France Football, Sky Sports notes. He became the first Bayern Munich player to win the Ballon d’Or in 45 years, following in the footsteps of English winners Sir Stanley Matthews, Sir Bobby Charlton, Kevin Keegan and Owen.
Kane’s turn to pass it on
From the stage in London, Kane kept returning to his team-mates and his journey through the game.
“For any young boy or girl who wants to achieve their dream, anything is possible,” Kane said in his acceptance speech, per Sky Sports. “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.”
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Tuchel signed off his message by looking past the party, writing that Kane would enjoy the moment with his loved ones before getting back to what he does best, scoring goals and winning football matches.
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