Harry Kane has won the Ballon d'Or in London after the 33-year-old England striker beat rival contenders to crown a fantastic season.
The Bayern Munich forward took to the stage in the English capital to receive the prestigious honour, describing himself as speechless and thanking the voters who selected him from a field of world-class footballers.
Kane told the audience that receiving the award in London made the evening extra special. He congratulated all of the night's winners and nominees before directing heartfelt praise toward his Bayern Munich teammates, several of whom were seated in the auditorium.
The England captain stressed that lifting the trophy would not have been possible without his club colleagues. He explained that the intensity of their daily training sessions and competitive fixtures pushed him to improve as a player and fueled his desire to reach higher standards.
Kane also wished the best to Bayern Munich head coach Vincent Kompany, saying he hoped the accolade would provide the manager with extra energy. Since joining the German giants, Kane noted, he has developed as a footballer, a person and a leader, adding that representing Bayern remains an honour and bringing the trophy back to the club is a privilege.
Kane moved to Bayern Munich from Tottenham Hotspur in 2023, establishing himself as the attacking focal point for the Bavarian club in the German Bundesliga. The Ballon d'Or, presented annually by France Football magazine, is regarded as the most prestigious individual accolade in the sport. Kane's victory returns the prize to Bayern Munich, whose former players including Gerd Muller, Franz Beckenbauer and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge previously claimed the trophy.
Tributes to Tottenham and supporters
Kane also devoted part of his acceptance speech to Tottenham Hotspur, stating that he would not be where he is today without his former team. He explained that every coach who guided him from the age of 11 had helped him live out his childhood dream.
Reflecting on the highs and lows that led him to the summit of the game, Kane offered specific thanks to former Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho, acknowledging the Portuguese coach as a meaningful influence during his development.
Kane worked under Mourinho during the Portuguese coach's tenure at Tottenham Hotspur between 2019 and 2021. Despite navigating injuries and team transitions during that period, Kane consistently produced prolific goalscoring returns under Mourinho's management.
The striker expressed gratitude to supporters across football, thanking Bayern Munich followers, England fans and Tottenham supporters for their continuous encouragement in stadiums. Kane recalled that not long ago he was an ordinary fan dreaming of playing football, adding that having the opportunity to give back to the public remains an honour.
Kane spent more than a decade in north London after progressing through the Tottenham youth system, becoming the club's all-time record goalscorer and captaining the England national team before his transfer to Germany.
Third Ballon d'Or for Alexia Putellas
In the women's category, Barcelona forward Alexia Putellas captured the Ballon d'Or for the third time in her career. The Spanish international previously claimed the award in 2021 and 2022, confirming her status among the greatest figures in the modern game.
Putellas succeeds her compatriot and Barcelona teammate Aitana Bonmati, who won the award across the previous three seasons. The victory extends a dominant era for Spanish football, with Barcelona players remaining at the summit of global voting.
Taking the stage, Putellas admitted she was overwhelmed and unsure what to say after thanking everyone who deemed her worthy of the trophy. She offered warm congratulations to all nominees and winners before turning her attention to her club colleagues.
Putellas noted that having so many Barcelona players nominated demonstrated the extraordinary quality of their campaign. She insisted that any of her nominated teammates could have taken the podium to give the speech, describing it as an enormous pleasure to play alongside them and a true source of pride to serve as their team captain.
Knee injury comeback and club support
Putellas gave thanks to Barcelona head coach Pere Romeu, the medical staff and club employees for their unwavering commitment. She also thanked supporters for their backing across 14 years with the Catalan club.
The forward highlighted the difficult recovery she faced after suffering a serious knee injury. Putellas explained that the rehabilitation process required her to relearn how to run and perform basic movements, expressing gratitude to everyone who gave her strength during her time away from the pitch.
Putellas suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in 2022 that kept her sidelined for extended stretches of competitive football. As captain of Barcelona Femeni, she has helped establish the team as the dominant force in Spanish and European football, winning multiple domestic championships in Liga F alongside continental titles in the UEFA Women's Champions League.
The women's Ballon d'Or, established by France Football in 2018 to honour the finest female player in the world, has seen Barcelona players dominate recent editions. Putellas became the first two-time winner in 2022, and her third award solidifies her place alongside the most decorated players in the history of international football.
