Harry Kane Claims Ballon d'Or, Ending 25-Year English Drought
The 33-year-old striker secured the award after scoring 73 goals last season, leading Bayern Munich to a domestic double and guiding England to a third-place World Cup finish.
By Mateo Thompson ·
Harry Kane received the Ballon d'Or on Monday, becoming the first English player to win the individual honor in 25 years. The 33-year-old forward earned the recognition following a season in which he recorded 73 goals for club and country, establishing himself as Europe's top scorer.
Kane’s statistical output drove his award campaign across two major competitions. At Bayern Munich, he helped secure the Bundesliga and German Cup double, scoring a hat trick against Stuttgart in the cup final. The team also advanced to the Champions League semifinals before the season concluded.
On the international stage, Kane captained England during the World Cup, where he scored six goals. That total surpassed Gary Lineker’s mark to make Kane England’s all-time leading scorer in World Cup history. He placed himself among the top five all-time tournament scorers. England lost to Argentina in the semifinals but defeated France in the third-place match, securing the nation’s best World Cup placement in 60 years.
Kane attributed his success to resilience and consistent effort during less visible periods of his career. He told young players that hard work and self-belief allow athletes to overcome early struggles. "My journey wasn't straightforward," he said. "I had to experience the downs. I had to fight my way to be the very best right now."
The award ceremony took place at the London Palladium, the first time the event has been held in the United Kingdom. The location marked the 70th anniversary of the inaugural award, which was given to England’s Stanley Matthews in 1956. The previous English winner was Michael Owen in 2001. Kane called the London venue a good omen for the achievement.
In the voting, Kane finished ahead of Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal, Rodri, and Lionel Messi. Yamal was also named best young talent for the third consecutive year. England manager Thomas Tuchel praised the selection, stating that the team is lucky to have Kane as its leader and that the football world has formally recognized his performances.
Earlier in the evening, Alexia Putellas won the women’s Ballon d'Or. The 32-year-old midfielder claimed her third award, ending the three-year streak of teammate Aitana Bonmati. Putellas led Barcelona to the Women’s Champions League title and helped Spain win the Women’s Nations League last December. She joined London City Lionesses in the offseason after 14 seasons at Barcelona.
Kane left the ceremony after midnight, where fans had gathered near Oxford Circus to chant his name. He plans to keep his celebration brief because Bayern Munich has a cup game on Wednesday. He will fly back to Munich on Tuesday to join team training. His wife Kate, whom he called his best friend, supported him on stage during the awards.
