Humble hero Kane the perfect heir to Matthews as Ballon d’Or comes ‘home’ originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
PALLADIUM THEATRE, LONDON — Harry Kane felt like London was a good omen as the moment of truth arrived at the most closely contested Ballon d’Or in years.
Advertisement
Kylian Mbappe can reasonably claim to be the most fearsome player on the planet right now, while there are surely none more lavishly gifted than Lamine Yamal. But no one was better, scored more relentlessly or realised their talents to a fuller extent than England’s captain marvel in 2025/26.
Mbappe and Lamine each have more Ballon d’Or runs in their futures. That’s not to say Kane doesn’t. Sure, he’s 33, but he is playing the best football of his career in a Bayern Munich team that is better than any other he has spearheaded. He’ll also, barring something completely unforeseen, be England’s centre-forward at Euro 2028, where the great quest to bring football home will continue.
“I think it’s massive for England, for our country. Being here in London was as a good omen for me,” Kane said after joining Stanley Matthews, Bobby Charlton, Kevin Keegan and Michael Owen as a Ballon d’Or winner from the home of football. “It’s been too long. We’ve had so many great players, and those greats from when I was growing up couldn’t get this award.
“I’m extremely proud to put us back on the map. Playing for England is my biggest honour, the thing I love to do the most. Winning a major honour with England is the number one priority, that’s for sure.”
Advertisement
MORE:Ballon d’Or 2026 ceremony from London as it happened
The Ballon d’Or did not come home here – it is an eminently French concern – but it returned to its roots in a fashion. The ceremony took place in England to mark its 70th anniversary and commemorate the inaugural winner, the Stoke City and Blackpool great Matthews.
‘The Wizard of Dribble’ enjoyed a career of implausible longevity and was 41 when he lifted the prize that would become football’s most coveted gong. A selfless, quiet man known for an obsessive dedication to honing his craft, Matthews was a footballer in whom Kane might see plenty of himself. He’d certainly have gorged upon his expert deliveries from the right wing.
