Outside the venerable London Palladium, the English fans chanted Harry Kane's name for a long time throughout the night. FC Bayern's star striker was the first Englishman to be awarded the prestigious Ballon d'Or in 25 years - and he could hardly believe it himself.
“Not many people would have thought that, and maybe even I wouldn’t have thought that I would get this far,” said Kane in an interview with the streaming service DAZN. He was never the player that people thought would become a superstar. Well – he has become one. According to the jurors, no one was as good as the 33-year-old in the journalists' election last season. Not Kylian Mbappé, not Lamine Yamal, not Rodri and not Lionel Messi.
In the end it was a duel between Kane, who scored 61 goals in 51 games for Bayern last season and made it to the World Cup semi-finals with England, and Mbappé. The Real Madrid striker had a slightly less good strike rate (42 goals in 44 games) and was also eliminated in the World Cup semi-finals. Real didn't win a title last season, Kane won the league and DFB Cup double with Bayern.
Nevertheless, it was only about a few points, as Vincent Garcia, the editor-in-chief of the specialist magazine “France Football”, which organizes the awards ceremony together with UEFA, made clear. “I can already reveal that the point gap between Kane and Mbappé was smaller than that between Rodri and Vini Jr. in 2024. And that was only 41 points back then,” said Garcia.
On the theater stage, Kane thanked many of his companions, including his former Bayern and current national coach Thomas Tuchel and Munich coach Vincent Kompany, who was unable to travel on Friday after collapsing. Kompany was nominated for the title of best coach, and Spain national coach Luis de la Fuente ultimately won in this category.
"To Vinnie: I believe he's still in the hospital. I wish you all the best. I hope this gave you some energy," Kane said in his speech, earning huge applause from the audience. Thierry Henry, as the evening's moderator, had already thought of Kompany, who was suffering from a viral illness. “We wish him a speedy recovery,” said the French football legend, who hosted the gala together with star presenter Kate Scott.
Kane then revealed on DAZN that he had spoken to Kompany on the morning of the award ceremony. "He called me this morning. He's obviously feeling better. I hope this gives him lots of energy. Boss, thank you very much!" Aaron Danks, representative of the ailing Kompany, recalled at a press conference on Tuesday "the extremes that life has to offer. The great joy that Harry experienced yesterday and the moments we have had in the last few weeks. It is important to see that people are the most important thing." In addition to Kompany's collapse, a bereavement in Joshua Kimmich's family also caused difficult days at FC Bayern.
Things got emotional on stage when Kane talked about his family. He thanked his parents, his in-laws, his brother Charlie, his wife Katie in the hall - and sent a greeting to the children at home. “It’s after your bedtime,” said the England captain. "You are the reason I do this. This is a very special moment. I can't wait to see you and celebrate with you. I love you very much." His wife described Kane as his best friend and biggest supporter. “I had the feeling that you wanted it almost more than I did,” said the visibly moved striker. “This wouldn’t be possible without you.”
Unlike some Ballon d'Or events in previous years, this time there was no doubt as to how deserving the winner was this year. Kane had shone sportingly week after week over the past few years, without making big speeches or claiming individual awards. A character trait that he apparently also alluded to in a message to X. "Work hard and be quiet. Let success speak for you," Kane wrote.
His success was celebrated from all sides. Bayern President Herbert Hainer spoke of a “proud day” for the German record champions. “He is now in line with Franz Beckenbauer, Gerd Müller and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge – that says everything about our history,” said Hainer. In 1981, Rummenigge was the last FC Bayern player to be awarded the Ballon d'Or. England coach Tuchel reported that he “long ago ran out of superlatives to describe your achievements.” And Prince William called Kane a “brilliant captain” and “remarkable player.”
In any case, the jubilation on the island was particularly great. “Harry Kane ends England's 25-year wait for the Ballon d'Or,” wrote Sky News. In 2001, Michael Owen was honored, Kane was still miles away from becoming a professional. In their tributes, the English press also recalled the beginnings of the best striker in the world. "Six miles from Brisbane Road, where he scored his first professional goal in England's third division (January 2011 for Leyton Orient, ed.), and eight miles from Arsenal's Hale End academy, from which he was dismissed for being 'chubby', Harry Kane's long journey to prove himself has reached its most incredible and inspiring destination," wrote The Times.
Rejected at Arsenal, Kane found his home for a long time at city rivals Tottenham. From 2004 to 2023 he played for Spurs in the youth, U21 and senior ranks - only interrupted by several loans. Kane is a club legend there. In order to get rid of the curse of being without a title, he had to move to FC Bayern for 100 million euros and additional bonus payments. His trophy cabinet is now well filled: twice German champion, once cup winner, twice Supercup winner – and now Ballon d’Or winner.
Thanks to Kane, an even longer wait for the Bundesliga ended. Before the Bayern striker, Matthias Sammer was the last professional playing in Germany to be honored with the Ballon d'Or in 1996. FC Bayern announced that the Ballon d'Or winner would be honored again in the stadium at the Bundesliga summit on Saturday against Borussia Dortmund. Before that, after a short recovery from the winning party, Kane has to play the DFB Cup game against 1. FC Magdeburg (Wednesday, 8.45 p.m./ARD, Sky and in the WELT live ticker).
