Harry Kane Becomes First English Ballon d'Or Winner in 25 Years
Bayern Munich and England striker Harry Kane has won the Ballon d’Or for his performances over the past season. The 70th edition of the prestigious award ceremony took place at the London Palladium. The winner was selected by a jury bof a professional sports journalist, 24KZ correspondent reports.
This time, the football world gathered in London, not Paris. For the first time in the award’s history, the Ballon d’Or ceremony was held in England. The choice of venue was symbolic: 70 years ago, legendary English footballer Stanley Matthews made history as the first recipient of the prestigious award.
The London Palladium was barely able to accommodate everyone who wanted to attend, while traffic congestion in the city delayed the start of the ceremony by half an hour. There was no clear favourite in this year’s Ballon d’Or race. Kylian Mbappé impressed with his scoring record at the World Cup, while Lamine Yamal helped Spain win the tournament. In the end, however, the votes went to Harry Kane, who had demonstrated outstanding form throughout the season.
Early in his career, Kane struggled to secure a place in Tottenham Hotspur’s first team. He went out on loan, gained experience and gradually worked his way towards the top. Over time, the Englishman became one of the finest strikers of his generation. His move to Bayern Munich in 2023 also helped him shed the label of a player who had never won major trophies. The so-called “Kane curse” was finally behind him.
During the season, Kane scored 73 goals for club and country. But his achievements went beyond the numbers: he regularly made the difference in crucial matches. With Bayern Munich, he won the German league title, the German Cup and the German Super Cup, while England finished third at the World Cup. Now, at the age of 33, the striker has reached another milestone, winning the Ballon d’Or — an award every footballer dreams of receiving.
Harry Kane, Bayern Munich striker:
- Thank you to France Football for organising this special event. I’m grateful to everyone who voted for me. The competition was incredibly strong, with so many outstanding footballers. Congratulations to all the winners in the other categories. And a special thank you to my Bayern teammates. We compete with one another every day in training.
As he accepted the award, Kane also remembered Vincent Kompany, who is currently undergoing treatment. The Englishman wished the Bayern coach a speedy recovery. He also offered warm words to the England national team and Tottenham Hotspur, where his journey to the top began. Kane thanked the other coaches, family members and loved ones who had supported him throughout his career, paying special tribute to his wife and children. At the end of his speech, the Ballon d’Or winner addressed those who are only beginning to dream of great achievements.
Harry Kane, Bayern Munich striker:
- I’ve come a long way, and the most important thing is that I never stopped believing in myself. My career has had its ups and downs. I hope my example inspires others to pursue their dreams, no matter what.
The voting results remained secret until the very last moment. One hundred journalists from countries ranked in FIFA’s top 100 selected the winner of football’s most prestigious individual award. Kylian Mbappé finished second, while Lamine Yamal came third. The ceremony also honoured winners in several other categories.
Author: Alisher Nakipov