LONDON: Harry Kane paid an emotional tribute to Tottenham Hotspur, his England teammates and his family after winning the 2026 Ballon d’Or, becoming the first English footballer in 25 years to claim the prestigious individual award.
The Bayern Munich striker finished ahead of Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal in the voting at Monday’s ceremony in London, ending England’s long wait for another Ballon d’Or winner since Michael Owen’s success in 2001.
Kane, who joined Tottenham’s youth academy at the age of 11 before moving to Bayern Munich in 2023, credited his former club for playing a decisive role in his development and helping him realise his ambitions in professional football.
During his acceptance speech, the 33-year-old expressed gratitude to Tottenham for the guidance and opportunities he received throughout his formative years.
“I want to say thank you to Tottenham Hotspur. I wouldn’t be where I am today without Tottenham, for sure,” Kane said.
Reflecting on his journey at the north London club, he acknowledged the contribution of the coaches and staff who supported him through the highs and lows of his career.
Kane also named several influential figures from his Tottenham days, including Chris Ramsey, Tim Sherwood and Ryan Mason. He described Mason, in particular, as one of his closest friends.
The striker’s tribute highlighted the importance of the club where he developed from an academy prospect into one of the leading forwards in world football.
Kane dedicates Ballon d’Or success to England teammates
Kane also used the occasion to recognise his England teammates, praising the unity and collective effort that helped the national side achieve third place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where he served as captain.
Although he acknowledged that the team’s campaign had not been perfect, Kane said the experience had strengthened the bond among the players.
“We had a special year,” he said, describing the team spirit and togetherness within the England squad as important elements of their progress.
Kane also expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to captain and represent his country, dedicating the individual honour to the players who shared the journey with him.
“This one is for all of us, for sure,” he said.
The England captain reserved further praise for head coach Thomas Tuchel and his coaching staff, highlighting their leadership, high standards and ability to push the squad to improve.
Kane said representing the coaching team had been an honour, acknowledging the role they played in shaping England’s performances.
Tuchel congratulates England captain
Tuchel welcomed Kane’s Ballon d’Or success, describing the award as a deserved recognition of the striker’s performances.
The England manager said Kane’s achievements had already left him with few superlatives to describe the forward’s quality, adding that he was pleased to see the football world formally acknowledge his contribution.
Tuchel also underlined the historical significance of the victory, noting that Kane had become the first Englishman since Owen in 2001 to receive the award.
He described the striker as an important leader for England and said the squad was fortunate to have him at the helm.
Tuchel encouraged Kane to enjoy the occasion with his family before returning to his familiar responsibilities of scoring goals and helping his teams win matches.
Kane thanks Bayern Munich and his family
Alongside his tributes to Tottenham and England, Kane acknowledged the contribution of Bayern Munich and the people who have supported him throughout his career.
He also mentioned Bayern manager Vincent Kompany, who has been recovering after collapsing at the club’s training ground the previous week.
However, the most personal part of Kane’s speech was reserved for his wife, Kate, whom he credited with making significant sacrifices to help him achieve his ambitions.
Kane described her as his biggest supporter and said they had experienced both difficult and rewarding moments together throughout their journey.
He emphasised that the award represented a shared achievement rather than an individual accomplishment, expressing his excitement about celebrating the milestone with his wife.
The England captain also sent a message to his children, Ivy, Vivienne, Louis and Henry, who were watching the ceremony from home.
He said his children were a major source of motivation and expressed his eagerness to return home with the trophy and celebrate the historic moment with them.
Wembley celebrates Kane’s historic achievement
Kane’s triumph was also marked at Wembley Stadium, where the stadium’s iconic arches were illuminated in gold following his victory.
The celebration reflected the significance of the achievement for English football, with Kane becoming the first English player in a quarter of a century to win the sport’s most prestigious individual honour.
For Kane, the award represents recognition of a career built on perseverance, consistency and the support of clubs, coaches, teammates and family members.
His emotional acceptance speech ensured that the occasion was not solely about individual success, but also about the people and experiences that helped shape his journey to the top of world football.
