Harry Kane wins Ballon d'Or, first English winner in 25 years

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 27 Oct, 16:02 · Archive

England captain Harry Kane became the first English winner of the Ballon d'Or in 25 years on Monday night.

Harry Kane won the Ballon d'Or on Monday night at a ceremony at the London Palladium, crowning him the best individual player in global men's football. The England captain, who plays for Bayern Munich, is the first English winner in 25 years. Michael Owen was the last Englishman to receive the award in 2001. Kane's 73-goal haul last season for club and country earned him the accolade from France Football magazine.

Downing Street offered congratulations and hinted at future honours. A No 10 spokeswoman said winning the award 'caps a remarkable season' and comes 70 years after Sir Stanley Matthews won the inaugural Ballon d'Or. When asked about a potential knighthood, the spokeswoman said: 'Harry Kane has given an enormous amount to English football, and this is a very special moment for him and the country, but, as ever, I'm not going to pre-empt the honours process'.

Kane's youth club Ridgeway Rovers FC, where he played as a boy in Walthamstow, celebrated the achievement. Ian Marshall, the club's chairman, said he was welling up during the awards. Alex Welsh, a former academy coach at Arsenal, described the win as 'fully deserved' and said Kane had never forgotten his roots at the Peter May Sports Centre, home to Ridgeway Rovers, where a statue of him was unveiled in 2024.

Harry Kane wins Ballon d'Or, first English winner in 25 years — Image: BBC London

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How it is being reported

Harry Kane's first club celebrates Ballon d'Or winRidgeway Rovers FC says it is proud to have produced a Ballon d'Or player in England's Harry Kane.BBC London · 27 Oct, 15:42
No 10 hints at Harry Kane knighthood after Ballon d’Or winThe England and Bayern Munich player became the first English winner in 25 years on Monday night.Evening Standard · 27 Oct, 13:06

In this story: Harry Kane · England · Bayern Munich · Ridgeway Rovers FC · Arsenal · Michael Owen · Ian Marshall · Alex Welsh

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