Harry Kane says Tottenham helped make Ballon d’Or dream a reality

Harry Kane has thanked Tottenham Hotspur for helping him fulfil his ambition of winning the Ballon d’Or, while dedicating the award to his England team-mates, manager Thomas Tuchel, his family and the club where he began his career.

The Bayern Munich striker beat Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal to the prestigious individual prize at a ceremony in London on Monday. He is the first English player to win the award since Michael Owen in 2001.

Kane joined Tottenham at the age of 11 before leaving for Bayern Munich in 2023, and reserved special praise for his former club during his acceptance speech.

“I want to thank Tottenham Hotspur,” he said. “I certainly would not be where I am today without Tottenham.

“I was there from the age of 11, and all the guidance and coaching gave me the opportunity to fulfil my dream.”

He added: “Without all those moments we shared, with the ups and downs throughout the journey, I would not have reached this moment today. So I simply want to say thank you to Tottenham Hotspur.”

Kane also singled out the coaches who helped him during his time at the club, including Chris Ramsey, Tim Sherwood and Ryan Mason, whom he described as one of his closest friends.

The 33-year-old, who led England to third place at the 2026 World Cup, also paid tribute to his international team-mates in an emotional speech.

“To all my England team-mates, it has been a special year,” Kane said. “It has not been a perfect year, but we have shared a lot of good moments.

“We have built a strong bond and enjoyed a great team spirit, both in the way we play and in the way we are connected. It is a true honour to play alongside you and to be your captain.

“This award is certainly for all of us.”

Kane then thanked Tuchel and the England coaching staff for their influence.

“To Thomas Tuchel and the coaching staff, thank you for leading us and for the way you push us forward and raise our standards,” he said. “It is an honour for me to represent you.”

The Bayern forward reserved his most personal words for his wife, Kate.

“To my wife Kate, my closest friend, we have been through highs and lows together,” he said. “You are my biggest supporter, and I felt you wanted this award more than I did.

“The anxious wait has been long, but here we are, we have done it. You always want the best for me and sacrifice yourself to help me achieve my dreams. This would not have been possible without you. It is something we can celebrate together, not just my achievement. We are one team, and I cannot wait to celebrate tonight. I love you.”

Kane finished by addressing his children, Ivy, Vivian, Louis and Henry, who were watching from home.

“It is certainly past your bedtime,” he said. “You are the reason I do everything. This is a special award, and I cannot wait to take it home and celebrate with you. I love you very much.”