Harry Kane's Ballon d'Or Journey

Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane won the 2026 Ballon d'Or, becoming the first English player to receive the award in 25 years. He is only the fifth English winner in the award's history. The last English winner, Michael Owen, took the award in 2001 at the age of 22.

Kane's path was far longer and harder. Reaching this achievement at 33, it came roughly 15 years after his first professional spell, a loan at Leyton Orient in League One. In the early years of his career he spent some time on loan in periods that are not widely remembered.

Former Tottenham head coach Tim Sherwood was the man who gave Kane his first full Premier League start. Sherwood said Kane thanked him at the award ceremony and described the achievement as "a Cinderella story like we have never seen before." According to Sherwood, Kane's career has always been a journey that pushed against the limits.

Sherwood also pointed out the contrast with Michael Owen, who got his chance at a major club, Liverpool, at a very young age. Kane, by contrast, took a difficult road and was not always a player loved by everyone. For this reason, his success seems even more meaningful to many people.