Thomas Tuchel tells Ballon d’Or winner Harry Kane: ‘The world recognises you now’

Thomas Tuchel has congratulated Harry Kane after the England captain won the 2026 Ballon d’Or, saying he has long since run out of words to describe the striker’s performances.

Kane, who plays for Bayern Munich, finished ahead of Spain’s Lamine Yamal and France’s Kylian Mbappe to claim football’s most prestigious individual award. He scored 73 goals for club and country during an outstanding season.

The 33-year-old is the first Englishman to win the Ballon d’Or since Michael Owen in 2001, ending a 25-year wait for another player from England to receive the honour.

Kane’s award follows an impressive year with the national team. Under Tuchel, he led England to the semi-finals of the World Cup, where they were beaten by Argentina.

England missed out on a place in the final but secured third position after defeating France in the play-off, their best World Cup finish since winning the tournament in 1966.

In a message reported by The Independent, Tuchel said: “Congratulations, Harry, on a thoroughly deserved Ballon d’Or. I ran out of words to describe your performances a long time ago, but I am delighted to see the football world officially recognise you now.”

The England manager also highlighted the significance of Kane becoming the first English winner in a quarter of a century.

“To become the first Englishman to win this great honour for 25 years makes it even more special, and we are lucky to have you as our captain,” Tuchel added.

Kane has been a central figure for both Bayern Munich and England, with his 73-goal campaign helping him secure the award ahead of two of the game’s leading young and established stars.

Tuchel ended his tribute by saying he expected Kane to celebrate the achievement before returning to the qualities that have defined his career.

“I know you will enjoy this moment with your loved ones, and then you will get back to doing what you do better than anything else: scoring goals and winning matches,” he said.