Harry Kane’s Ballon D’or Triumph Sparks Tributes and Knighthood Buzz
WHO:
NPR - Alexia Putellas won her third women’s Ballon d’Or, tying the record; she ended Aitana Bonmatí’s three-year reign. Putellas had helped Spain win the Women’s Nations League and joined London City Lionesses in the offseason.
The Guardian - Kane also joins Kevin Keegan and Sir Bobby Charlton among the English Ballon d’Or winners.
The Guardian - David Beckham and Gareth Southgate received knighthoods last year; Kenny Dalglish was the most recent recipient before them. Michael Owen and Kevin Keegan have not received knighthoods.
Daily Mail Sports - Harry Kane is Bayern Munich’s forward and England captain; Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappé were his closest rivals for the men’s Ballon d’Or.
Rolling Stone Lifestyle - Kane became the fifth English player to win the Ballon d’Or; Michael Owen was the previous English winner.
The Guardian - Andy Burnham sent congratulations to Kane. The prime minister’s spokesperson praised Kane’s win and said the honours process had not been pre-empted.
NPR - Kane was 33. The other top vote-getters were Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal, Rodri and Lionel Messi. Yamal was voted best young talent for a third consecutive year; Messi has won the award a record eight times.
NPR - England coach Thomas Tuchel told Kane, “The Three Lions are lucky to have you as our leader.”
Sportskeeda - Thomas Müller congratulated his former Bayern Munich teammate, calling Kane “fking brilliant” and saying, “This time, it was just you.”
NPR - Spain’s Alexia Putellas won her third women’s Ballon d’Or, matching the record. She had joined London City Lionesses after playing for Barcelona.
WHAT:
NPR - Putellas said, “Believe in yourself, that's the most important thing,” and urged young players to pursue their dreams even if they have to “start from zero.”
NPR - Bonmatí was not on the year’s shortlist after breaking her leg in December.
NPR - Kane said he would celebrate with family and friends, but “we have a cup game on Wednesday so it can’t get too messy.”
NPR - Kane said he had an early flight back to Munich for team training.
The Guardian - Kane won the men’s Ballon d’Or, beating Mbappé and Yamal. It was England’s first win in 25 years and the first English victory since Owen won in 2001.
NPR - Kane scored 73 goals for club and country, led Europe in scoring, and helped Bayern win the Bundesliga and German Cup. He scored a hat trick in the German Cup final against Stuttgart; Bayern reached the Champions League semifinals.
NPR - Kane scored six goals at the World Cup, passing Gary Lineker as England’s all-time leading World Cup scorer. England finished third, its best placing in 60 years, after losing to Argentina in the semifinals and beating France.
CBS Sports - Kane thanked Bayern teammates, manager Vincent Kompany, England teammates and staff, Tottenham Hotspur, fans, his brother Charlie, his parents, children and wife Kate in his acceptance speech.
The Guardian - Downing Street called Kane’s win an “extraordinary achievement” and said he had “given an enormous amount to English football.” Asked about a knighthood, the spokesperson said, “I’m not going to pre-empt the honours process.”
Rolling Stone Lifestyle - Kane’s Ballon d’Or merchandise was reported to be becoming instant collectibles.
WHERE:
NPR - The ceremony was held at the London Palladium; it was held in London in recognition of inaugural winner Stanley Matthews.
WHY:
NPR - Kane attributed his success to hard work, resilience, determination and self-belief, saying, “My journey wasn’t straightforward.”
The Guardian - Downing Street alluded to hopes of an England trophy at the 2028 Euros, co-hosted by England, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland.
HOW:
NPR - Kane said he had struggled early in his career and told young players, “I wasn't the kid who went straight to the top. I had to experience the downs.”
CBS Sports - Kane said Bayern manager Vincent Kompany was at home or still in hospital and wished him well, adding that he hoped the award gave him “a bit of energy.”
The Guardian - Ministers, government departments and private individuals can recommend candidates to the honours committee; Burnham cannot award Kane a knighthood. The sport committee includes Sue Barker and Football Foundation chief executive Robert Sullivan. Kane holds an MBE.
Harry Kane won the men’s Ballon d’Or, becoming the first English player to take the award in 25 years after scoring 73 goals for club and country and helping Bayern Munich win the Bundesliga and German Cup. At the London ceremony, Spain’s Alexia Putellas won her third women’s Ballon d’Or, tying the record and ending Aitana Bonmatí’s three-year run. Kane credited hard work, resilience and self-belief for his success, thanked his family and teammates, and said he would celebrate before returning to Munich for training.