Kane ends England's 25-year Ballon d'Or wait - how he bucked the trend
Harry Kane has been awarded the Ballon d'Or, becoming the first English player to win the honor since 2001. Despite not winning a major trophy last season, his record-breaking goal tally for Bayern Munich secured him the title.
Why it matters
This marks a historic achievement for English football and highlights a shift in how individual excellence is weighted against team trophy success in global awards.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Harry Kane broke Bayern Munich's goalscoring record for a season in his third campaign at the club
Harry Kane has become the first English player to win the Ballon d'Or since Michael Owen in 2001 after being crowned the world's best player at a ceremony in London.
The 33-year-old Bayern Munich striker is the fifth Englishman to win in total, with Stanley Matthews (1956), Bobby Charlton (1966) and Kevin Keegan (1978 and 1979) the others.
Denis Law of Scotland (1964) and Northern Ireland's George Best (1968) are the other winners from the United Kingdom.
Real Madrid and France forward Kylian Mbappe finished second, while Barcelona and Spain attacker completed the top three.
"I am almost speechless. Being here in London has made it extra special," said an emotional Kane.
Headlinne story · 6 newsrooms
Harry Kane Claims Ballon d'Or as First Englishman to Win Since 2001
What every outlet reported, where they differ, and how each framed it →
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