English star Harry Kane (33 years old) was crowned with the Ballon d'Or award, presented by the famous French magazine "France Football", as the best player of the year this year.
Harry Kane became the first Bayern Munich player to win the Ballon d'Or since Karl-Heinz Rummenigge in 1981, and he also became the first Englishman to win it since Michael Owen in 2001.
Impressive numbers!
Harry Kane had a fantastic season with the Bavarian team, scoring 73 goals in various competitions with Bayern Munich and the English national team during the 2025/2026 season.
Heikin also won the title of top scorer in the German League, and won the domestic double (league and cup) with Bayern Munich. In addition to being the top scorer in both competitions in the 2025/2026 season.
Harry Kane also excelled remarkably with his former team, Tottenham, and won the league's top scorer award more than once. He also occupies second place on the list of all-time scorers in the English Premier League, with 213 goals, behind the legend Alan Shearer, who scored 260 goals.
Despite these terrifying numbers in the English Premier League, Harry Kane suffered a major “curse” with Tottenham. The English international did not win any group title with Tottenham, which made many football fans talk about a curse that haunts him.
However, the picture has changed radically since Harry Kane moved to Bayern Munich in the summer of 2023 in a huge deal. The English international won several individual and team titles with the Bavarian team, and is considered one of the best football signings in the history of Bayern Munich.
European newspapers reacted greatly to Harry winning the Ballon d'Or.
Germany
Commenting on Kane's winning of the Ballon d'Or, the German channel "Intifao" commented: "For the first time since Karl-Heinz Rummenigge in 1981, Bayern Munich once again includes a Ballon d'Or winner among its ranks. During the ceremony held in London, English football star Harry Kane was crowned with the prestigious award."
The prestigious "Kicker" magazine also said in the same vein: "The first player from the German League since 1996...Kane to win the Ballon d'Or. Harry Kane was crowned with the Ballon d'Or for the year 2026, after the Bayern Munich striker won the prestigious individual award in the British capital, London."
The newspaper "Süddeutsche Zeitung" in turn wrote: "Twig Kane... Wow! Harry Kane wins the Ballon d'Or. The Bayern Munich striker outperformed Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal and Lionel Messi, and showed again in his speech during the ceremony why he deserves the award: because he never forgets the team."
As for the widely circulated newspaper Bild, it wrote: “King Kane, the king of the world of football!”
England
The Guardian newspaper reacted to Harry Kane winning the big award, and said in this regard: “A well-deserved win for Harry Kane with the highest award in the world of football.”
The Telegraph newspaper also wrote: “Harry Kane wins the Ballon d’Or and ends England’s 25-year wait.”
While The Sun newspaper commented, saying: “Harry Kane proves why he is the best signing in the history of Bayern Munich. It is likely that Kane has dreamed of this moment since he kicked a football for the first time. The former Tottenham striker, who currently plays for Bayern Munich, is still making it happen even at the age of thirty-three.”
Spain
The Spanish newspaper "Marca" wrote: "Harry Kane wins the Ballon d'Or in one of the most exciting and thrilling moments in history."
AS newspaper also commented, saying: “Neither Yamal nor Mbappe... but Kane! It was said in the past that he was cursed and would never win any title, but he succeeded in the end. He is no longer cursed.”
France
As for the French newspaper L'Equipe, it wrote: "King Harry! The Bayern Munich striker had an exceptional season, then led the England national team, known as the 'Three Lions', to third place in the World Cup."
Likewise, the newspaper "Le Parisien" commented on Kane's victory: "The coronation of a decisive striker and a player who is witnessing a transformation in his career. For a long time he was underestimated, and his potential was reduced to his scoring abilities only. But he rediscovered himself at the age of thirty-three with Bayern Munich, and has now reached the pinnacle of football."
Le Monde newspaper also wrote: “It has been 25 years since England won the last award of this kind. On Monday, Harry Kane ended the long wait, succeeding Michael Owen, who won the award in 2001.”
Italy
In Italy, the newspaper "La Gazzetta dello Sport" wrote: "He is a great scorer. He is also good at building attacks, and is distinguished by his humility and simplicity off the field."
She added: "In a world full of superstars who have talent, but who also have an enormous amount of arrogance, Kane remains a normal and simple human being. If there was ever an appropriate timing for Kane to win the Ballon d'Or, this was it."
Also, the famous Tuttosport newspaper wrote: “The Bayern Munich striker, who wears shirt No. 9, wins the 70th edition of the famous award given by France Football magazine, succeeding previous winner Ousmane Dembélé.”
