The England captain was named the world’s best player at a ceremony in London on Monday, October 26, becoming the first Englishman to win the prestigious award in 25 years.
Kane, 33, earned the honour after scoring 73 goals for club and country during the 2025/26 season, helping Bayern retain their Bundesliga title as part of a domestic treble.
He finished ahead of Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé and Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal in the voting.
The victory places Kane alongside England greats Sir Stanley Matthews, Sir Bobby Charlton, Kevin Keegan and Michael Owen, who was the country’s most recent winner in 2001.
For Kane, the award represents the culmination of a journey that took him from loan spells early in his career to becoming one of Europe’s most prolific strikers.
A journey built on persistence
Kane did not rise straight to the top. Reflecting on his career during the ceremony, he spoke about the challenges he faced before establishing himself among the world’s leading players.
“For any young boy or girl who wants to achieve their dream, anything is possible,” he said.
“My journey, it wasn’t straightforward, I didn’t go straight to the top, I had to experience a lot of loan moves and fight my way to get to where I am now.”
His breakthrough came at Tottenham Hotspur, where he developed into one of the Premier League’s most reliable goal-scorers. He also became a key figure for England, captaining the national team through major international tournaments.
Despite his individual achievements, major team trophies remained elusive during his time at Tottenham. The club reached the Champions League final in 2019, while England reached the finals of the European Championship under Kane’s captaincy.
His performances earned widespread recognition, but the absence of major silverware remained a defining feature of his career.
The move that changed everything
Kane left Tottenham for Bayern Munich in 2023, seeking a new challenge and the opportunity to compete regularly for major honours.
The move marked a turning point in his career. At Bayern, he continued his remarkable scoring record while helping the German club compete for domestic and European titles.
His first major team trophy came in the 2024/25 season, when Bayern reclaimed the Bundesliga title. He subsequently helped the club win the German Cup and German Super Cup in 2025/26.
Kane’s performances also strengthened his standing among Europe’s elite forwards. He scored 61 goals in 51 appearances for Bayern during the 2025/26 campaign, including 36 in the Bundesliga and 14 in the Champions League, where the club reached the semi-finals.
His six goals for England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup further boosted his season tally, taking his total to 73 goals across 65 appearances for club and country.
The figures helped distinguish him from a competitive field that included Mbappé and Yamal, who finished second and third respectively in the Ballon d’Or voting.
Recognition at last
Kane’s triumph also ended a long wait for English football. Michael Owen was the last Englishman to win the men’s Ballon d’Or, receiving the award in 2001 after an outstanding season with Liverpool.
Kane became the fifth Englishman to win the honour, following Sir Stanley Matthews, Sir Bobby Charlton, Kevin Keegan and Owen.
The award was particularly significant because Kane had never previously finished higher than 10th in the Ballon d’Or rankings.
Speaking after receiving the trophy, Kane acknowledged the role his teammates and coaches had played in his success, describing the award as an achievement that extended beyond individual performance.
He thanked his teammates at Bayern and the England national team, including those who created scoring opportunities and helped draw defenders away from him.
“As much as this is an individual award, I’ll give thanks to them because it wouldn’t be possible without any of them, and that’s what makes a team,” he said.
Kane also expressed hope that his journey would inspire young players who aspire to reach the highest level of the game.
For Bayern, his victory adds another distinction to a successful period under head coach Vincent Kompany. For England, it restores the country to the top of an award that has eluded its players for a quarter of a century.
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