Harry Kane has thanked Tottenham for the role the club played in his Ballon d'Or triumph.
After scoring 73 goals for club and country during the 2025/26 season, Kane was recognised by football journalists from across the world as the worthy recipient of the Ballon d'Or, beating out fellow stars Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal.
Fifth Englishman to win the award
Kane becomes just the fifth Englishman to win the award, following in the footsteps of Sir Stanley Matthews, Sir Bobby Charlton, Kevin Keegan, and Michael Owen.
Whilst coming through the ranks at Tottenham, Kane was sent out to Leicester City, Norwich City, and Millwall, before eventually breaking into Spurs' first team aged 21.
Kane would score a total of 280 goals in 435 games for Spurs before moving to German giants Bayern Munich for a total package worth €110million in 2023.
Kane's gratitude to Spurs
Since arriving in Germany, Kane has averaged just shy of a goal a game for Bayern Munich, notching 156 goals in 159 appearances.
“Obviously, Tottenham played a massive role in my development and me being to where I am now,” continued Kane. “I made that step in my career to improve and be better, and it's definitely paid off.
So, this is proof of that. It was a big personal move for me as well, so it's nice that it's paid off.”
Reaction to winning the award
Asked how it felt to be named best player in the world, Kane told Sky Sports: “It sounds crazy, to be honest. It sounds pretty good. What a special night, incredible, incredible feeling - still just trying to take it all in, really. But, it just feels really, really like a dream.”
Kane admitted to feeling relief after waiting to hear who had won the award, with world football descending upon the London Palladium for the Ballon d'Or gala.
Asked what his overriding emotion was, Kane replied: “Just relief, joy, happiness, excitement. There was so much waiting to find out the winner, and in that moment, it was quite nerve-wracking. To have that kind of release and then be able to share it with everyone there in the theatre was special.”
Message to fans
Kane went on to explain the message he posted across his various social media channels after being announced as the best player in the world. On both his Twitter and Instagram, Kane simply wrote: 'Work hard in silence. Let success be your noise.'
“It's a quote that I've kind of lived by for a lot of my career,” explained Kane.
“I think it sums up my story. I like to do the work behind the scenes. Sometimes when no one's watching, it's the best time to improve. Let everything else just explode on the pitch. There is no better way to kind of prove that than winning this award.”
Fans and pundits on social media associated the quote Kane shared with the England captain's multiple loan spells at the start of his career.
Kane ended the interview with a message to those who had supported him over the years. He shared: “Thank you, everyone, for all the love and support.
“I really felt it from social media, here in London, everyone in the theatre last night. So I can't thank you enough. This one's for all of us.”
