Kane becomes first Englishman in 25 years to win Ballon d'Or, pipping Mbappé and Yamal

Harry Kane claimed the Ballon d’Or at the London Palladium on Monday night, becoming the first Englishman to win the award in 25 years. The Bayern Munich and England captain edged out Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal to take the most prestigious individual prize in world football.

Kane, 33, spoke for more than ten minutes on stage after receiving the award, with much of his speech directed at his wife and long-term partner Katie Goodland, mother to his four children.

“To my wife, Kate, my best friend,” Kane said. “We’ve been through ups and downs for sure. You’re my biggest supporter. I actually felt like you wanted this more than me myself. The anxious wait for us to find out, I know it’s been horrible for you — here it is, we’ve done it. You always want the best for me, you sacrifice yourself to help me achieve my dreams, and I know they’re your dreams as well, so it wouldn’t be possible without you. This is a trophy that we celebrate, not me.”

Kane also paid tribute to his older brother Charlie, who was present at the ceremony. “It didn’t seem that long ago we was kicking a ball around the garden, over the park, watching football, talking football, just football mad,” he said. “To have that love and support from an older brother means the world to me.”

His parents, who were also in attendance, received a lengthy tribute from the striker. Kane credited them with instilling the work ethic that carried him to the summit of the game. “There was never any pressure from you to become a footballer,” he said. “It was always about working hard. It was always about improving. It was always about learning, and all those traits that you have given me have allowed me to be successful and be here tonight.”

Kane closed by addressing his four children — Ivy, Vivienne, Louis and Henry — who watched from home. “You’re the reason I do this,” he told them, acknowledging the ceremony had run later than planned and that it was well past their bedtime.

The win marks a landmark moment for English football, with no player from the country having lifted the award since Michael Owen claimed it in 2001.