England captain wins the Ballon d'Or

Harry Kane delivered an emotional acceptance speech after winning the 2026 Ballon d’Or at the London Palladium. The England captain and Bayern Munich striker beat competitors Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe to secure the prestigious individual award, recognizing his outstanding performance in the previous season. In the span of 73 goals scored for both club and country, Kane made a significant impact.

Kane, who spent 19 years at Tottenham Hotspur before joining Bayern Munich in 2023, became the first Englishman since Michael Owen in 2001 to win the Ballon d’Or. During his speech, he expressed gratitude to his family, players, coaches, and fans. He acknowledged the tough competition and the remarkable achievements of his peers, including teammates, managers, and the England national team.

Kane praised his teammates on Bayern Munich, mentioning Michael Olise, Dayot Upamecano, Lucho Diaz, and Lennart Karl among others. He highlighted their role in pushing him to be a better player and improved as a person. He also thanked his manager, Vincent Kompany, and the staff at Bayern Munich, as well as Bayern Munich's CEO and President.

Kane expressed his appreciation for his England teammates, recognizing the bond and togetherness they shared throughout the year. He acknowledged the leadership of England manager Gareth Southgate and thanked the Football Association (FA) for the opportunity to captain the team. He also expressed gratitude to Tottenham Hotspur for their guidance and support during his early career.

Throughout his speech, Kane paid tribute to various coaches who played a significant role in his development, including Bradley Allen, Chris Ramsey, John McDermott, Alex Inglethorpe, Tim Sherwood, Ryan Mason, Kenny Jackett, Russell Slade, Harry Redknapp, Mauricio Pochettino, Jose Mourinho, Antonio Conte, and Roy Hodgson. He also thanked his doctor, Dr. Alejandro Elorriaga Caraco, for his support during challenging times.