London, 27 October (H.S.):

England captain and Bayern Munich star striker Harry Kane has made history by winning football’s prestigious Ballon d’Or, becoming the first English player in 25 years to receive the coveted honour. The last Englishman to win the award was Michael Owen in 2001. The 33-year-old Kane was presented with the accolade at a ceremony held at the London Palladium on Monday.

Kane scored a remarkable 73 goals for club and country during the previous season. He won the Bundesliga and the German Cup with Bayern Munich and also played a crucial role in guiding England to the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup. He emerged ahead of France’s Kylian Mbappé and Spanish teenage sensation Lamine Yamal in the race for the award.

Visibly emotional after receiving the trophy, Kane struggled to find words to express his feelings.

“Wow, I am almost lost for words. Thank you to France Football and the Ballon d’Or organisers for putting on this wonderful event. Receiving this honour in London makes it even more special. Today feels like a sign of good things to come,” he said.

Kane thanked those who had voted for him, acknowledging that the competition had been particularly fierce this year, with several exceptional players in contention. He also congratulated the other winners and nominees, adding that the achievement demonstrated what could be accomplished through determination and hard work.

Kane Reflects on His Journey from Tottenham to Bayern Munich

Kane credited his success to his teammates at Bayern Munich and head coach Vincent Kompany, saying that the players pushed him to improve every day in training. Referring to Kompany’s hospitalisation, he wished the coach a speedy recovery and expressed hope that the achievement would give him an additional boost.

Speaking about England, Kane acknowledged that the previous year had not been entirely perfect but emphasised the strong understanding and unity within the squad. He described captaining the national team as a tremendous honour and dedicated the award to his teammates as well.

Kane also paid special tribute to Tottenham Hotspur, whose academy he joined at the age of 11. He said the club’s coaches and mentors had played a significant role in helping him realise his ambitions. He further acknowledged the contribution of the coaches and mentors who had supported him at different stages of his career.

Kane Credits His Wife and Children for His Success

In an emotional part of his speech, Kane described his wife, Kate, as his greatest supporter. He said they had experienced numerous ups and downs throughout his career and that she had consistently stood by him and supported his ambitions.

“I think you wanted this trophy even more than I did. You have made so many sacrifices to help make this happen. This is not just my trophy; it belongs to both of us. I love you, and I am looking forward to celebrating this achievement together,” he said.

Kane also mentioned his children, Ivy, Vivienne, Louis and Henry. Smiling, he remarked that the ceremony had gone on for quite some time and that it was probably already past the children’s bedtime. He added that he wanted to set an example for them by demonstrating the value of hard work, self-belief and striving to become both a good father and a successful professional footballer.

Reflecting on the challenges he had faced, Kane emphasised that his journey to the top had not been straightforward. He recalled being sent out on loan to several clubs and having to work relentlessly to establish himself at the highest level of the game.

He expressed hope that his story would inspire young footballers to persevere, remain committed to their ambitions and continue pursuing their dreams despite setbacks.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar