Published on •Updated
Just ten kilometres from Brisbane Road, where he scored his first professional goal in England’s third tier, Harry Kane collected the biggest individual prize in men’s football on Monday night at the star-studded London Palladium Theatre.
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The Bayern Munich striker becomes the first England player to win the Ballon d’Or since 2001, and English fans were quick to celebrate. Kane could hardly believe it himself.
“Not many people would have thought that, and maybe even I wouldn’t have thought that I could get this far,” he told streaming service DAZN.
He added that he was never the sort of player expected to become a superstar.
Seventy-three goals in 65 matches for Bayern and the England national team was, in the view of the journalists’ jury, unsurpassed last season: not by Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi, Lamine Yamal or Rodri.
Kane’s award also ended a long barren spell for the Bundesliga. The last time a player active in Germany was honoured with the Ballon d’Or was in 1996, when Matthias Sammer won it. For Bayern, Kane is the first recipient since Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, who took the prize in 1981.
Bayern president Herbert Hainer called it a proud day for the club. “Harry Kane can do everything, and he scores goals, goals, goals,” he said, adding that Kane now stands alongside Franz Beckenbauer, Gerd Müller and Rummenigge.
The atmosphere turned emotional when Kane thanked his family. He addressed his words to his in-laws, his parents, his brother Charlie and his wife Katie, who was sitting in the hall.
He also thought of his children at home and sent them a loving greeting.
He also thanked the people who have supported him in recent years. They include Bayern coach Vincent Kompany, who could not travel after collapsing on Friday, and Thomas Tuchel, his former Bayern coach and now England manager.
Tuchel said he ran out of superlatives for Kane’s performances long ago, but was delighted to see the football world recognise them officially.
**”**I ran out of superlatives to describe your performances a long time ago, but I am very happy to see that you have now also been officially recognised by the football world,” said German coach Thomas Tuchel.
Even Prince Harry sent his congratulations. “What a fantastic achievement and so richly deserved. A brilliant captain, a remarkable player and someone who has given football fans around the world so many unforgettable moments.”
Alexia Putellas Wins Third Ballon d’Or
Meanwhile, in the women’s category, Alexia Putellas won the Ballon d’Or féminin. The Spaniard prevailed in the vote for women’s footballer of the year ahead of compatriot Clàudia Pina and England’s Alessia Russo.
The 32-year-old Barcelona midfielder previously won in 2021 and 2022. She then suffered an ACL injury, and Bonmatí rose to stardom in her absence. Bonmatí completed her hat-trick of wins in 2025 but was left off this year’s shortlist after breaking her leg in December.
The women’s Ballon d’Or only dates back to 2018, when Ada Hegerberg became its first winner. Putellas used her moment to encourage young players to play with “love and passion”.
Putellas joined Barcelona in 2012 and described her time at the Catalan club as “something special”.
“I’m really grateful for having 14 seasons as a player (at Barcelona),” she said. “What I experienced last year was like a perfect story.”
