Harry Kane has been named Ballon d’Or winner, becoming the first Englishman since Michael Owen in 2001 to take football’s top individual prize. The Bayern Munich striker, 33, is the fifth English winner after Stanley Matthews, Bobby Charlton and Kevin Keegan, who won twice.
Kane finished ahead of Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe and Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal at a London ceremony.
His selection came despite missing out on the World Cup and Champions League, both of which ended at the semi-final stage.
The former Tottenham captain scored 61 goals in 51 club games last season a Bayern record for a single campaign and 73 in 65 matches including England appearances.
Kane said his career had been built on resilience rather than early hype. “I had to bide my time and work hard,” he told Dazn, citing self-belief and determination.
England manager Thomas Tuchel called the award a “huge honour,” while Prince William praised Kane as a “brilliant captain” and “remarkable player.”
Kane is also the first Bayern player to win since Karl-Heinz Rummenigge in 1981. Wembley’s arches were lit gold in celebration.
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