Kane ends England’s 25-year Ballon d’Or wait – how he bucked the trend
Harry Kane has become the first Englishman in 25 years to win the Ballon d’Or, taking the award after a record-breaking season with Bayern Munich. His victory is unusual because he did not win either the World Cup or Champions League, showing how strongly his individual performances weighed in the decision.
Kane scored 61 goals in 51 club matches and 73 goals, with eight assists, in 65 appearances for club and country. His Bayern total was 19 more than any other player in Europe’s top five leagues, while he finished as the Bundesliga’s leading scorer with 36 goals and scored 14 in the Champions League. Kylian Mbappe came second and Lamine Yamal third; Kane is the fifth English winner, following Michael Owen in 2001.
In short
- Kane ends England’s 25-year wait for a Ballon d’Or winner.
- He scored 73 goals for club and country last season.
- His individual record secured the award despite missing major trophies.
Explained simply
The Ballon d’Or is an annual award for the best footballer in the world, voted for by journalists. It often goes to players whose teams have won major trophies, such as the World Cup or the Champions League, though individual performances also count.
Harry Kane is an English striker who joined German club Bayern Munich after playing for Tottenham Hotspur. He has also been a leading player for England, and his career has included prolific goal-scoring without a major international or European club trophy.
Before Kane, the last English winner was Michael Owen in 2001. Other leading contenders include France’s Kylian Mbappé and Spain’s Lamine Yamal, reflecting the award’s competition among players from different clubs and countries.