{
  "id": 16682241,
  "title": "Kane Ends England’s 25-year Wait, Wins Ballon d’Or",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/26/kane-ends-englands-25-year-wait-wins-ballon-dor",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-26T23:53:27.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "This Day",
    "slug": "this-day",
    "url": "https://www.thisdaylive.com/2026/10/27/kane-ends-englands-25-year-wait-wins-ballon-dor/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Harry Kane, England's Three Lions captain, has become the first English player to win the prestigious Ballon d’Or since Michael Owen in 2001. The 33-year-old Bayern Munich striker secured the award after a remarkable 2025-26 season, during which he scored a staggering 61 goals in all competitions for his club. His performance surpassed even the greatest goalscorers in history, including Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Despite not lifting major trophies like the World Cup or Champions League, Kane's exceptional individual achievements have earned him the honor. Notably, he is the fifth Englishman to win the Ballon d’Or, joining illustrious company such as Stanley Matthews, Bobby Charlton, and Kevin Keegan.",
  "summary": "*Saka wins Sócrates Award, Yamal awarded the Young Talent for the Third year Duro Ikhazuagbewith agency report England’s Three Lions Captain, Harry Kane, on Monday night became the first English player",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}