Harry Kane became the first Englishman in 25 years to win the Ballon d’Or on Monday thanks to his prolific scoring last season. Kane scored 73 goals for club and country last campaign – he was Europe’s top scorer – and smashed scoring records in Germany for Bayern Munich and at the World Cup, where he captained England to a third-place finish. The 33-year-old Kane says winning the prestigious individual award was built on so much more.
Earlier, Spain star Alexia Putellas won her record-equaling third women’s Ballon d’Or after leading her former club Barcelona to multiple trophies last season including the Women’s Champions League. Kane led Bayern to the Bundesliga and German Cup double, scoring a hat trick against Stuttgart in the cup final. Bayern also reached the Champions League semifinals. At the World Cup, he scored six times to pass Gary Lineker as England’s all-time leading World Cup scorer and placed himself among the all-time top five in tournament history. “It’s been too long. Certainly (there have been) incredible English players… To put us back on the map, to put us here with this trophy I’m extremely proud. Playing for England is my biggest honor, the thing I love to do the most.
His lineup lost to Argentina in the semifinals but beat Mbappe’s France for third place, England’s best World Cup placing in 60 years.
“Anything is possible with hard work, when no one else is watching, to go through the ups and downs, to learn through resilience, determination and self-belief,” an emotional Kane said in a message to young players, after reflecting on his early career struggles. “It’s massive for England, for our country. (The ceremony) being here in London was a good omen for me,” Kane said.
“We have a cup game on Wednesday so it can’t get too messy,” Kane said, noting he has an early Tuesday flight back to Munich in time for team training. “I’m really grateful for having 14 seasons as a player (at Barcelona),” she said. “What I experienced last year was like a perfect story.”
