Harry Kane has become the first English player in 25 years to win the Ballon d’Or after being celebrated at the London Palladium on Monday evening.
Not since Michael Owen lifted the prestigious individual accolade in 2001 has an Englishman won, but Kane’s extraordinary 73-goal haul for club and country last season secured the trophy from French magazine France Football.
Bayern Munich forward Kane was a well-received winner in the capital, joining Stanley Matthews, Bobby Charlton, Kevin Keegan and Owen as a recipient of the Ballon d’Or from England.
Real Madrid and France forward Kylian Mbappe and Barcelona and Spain winger Lamine Yamal provided strong opposition, with the trio bizarrely announced as winners on the official website hours before the London event.
Additional disruption followed when the awards were delayed by 30 minutes to start at 8.30pm, but just over two hours later Kane collected the 70th Ballon d’Or to loud cheers and chants of ‘Harry’ at the London Palladium, shortly after London City midfielder Alexia Putellas claimed the women’s award for a third time.
Here is his acceptance speech at the London Palladium in full...
“Wow, wow, wow. I'm almost speechless. Lucky I have this [his speech] here. First of all, thank you again to France Football, to the Ballon d'Or for putting on this amazing event. Being here in London as well has made it extra special and looked like a good omen for me tonight, so thank you very much.
“Thank you to everyone who voted for me. I can imagine it was really tough this year. Some of the incredible players I was up against, some of my team-mates and world-class players in the room tonight, so thank you to everyone who voted for me. Congratulations to all the winners, all the nominees tonight - an impressive showing of what determination and hard work can really achieve, so well done.
“My Bayern Munich team-mates, I've got a few here tonight. Michael [Olise], Upa [Dayot Upamecano], Lucho [Luis Diaz], Lenny [Lennart Karl]. Without you guys and the rest of the team, it wouldn't be possible. The way you guys push me, the way we compete, me against Upa in training every week, it just makes me a better player, makes me want to improve, so thank you very much.
“To Vinnie [Vincent Kompany], I know he's at home or I think still in the hospital so wishing you very well. Hope this has gave you a bit of energy. To Vinnie and all the staff, the way we train, the way you push us, it's a credit to yourself. Since I've been with you, I've improved as a player, no doubt, improved as a person, as a leader, and that's thanks to your leadership.
“To Jan [Jan-Christian Dreesen, Bayern CEO], to Herbert [Hainer, Bayern president], to all the Bayern Munich chairmans and presidents, I know some of you couldn't be here tonight, but it's an honour to play for Bayern Munich. To represent you is a real privilege, so I'm glad to be bringing this trophy back to Bayern Munich for sure.
“To all my England teammates, we had a special year. It wasn't the perfect year, but we had a lot of good moments. We built a great bond together, a lot of togetherness. The way we trained, the way we played, the togetherness in the hotel in the World Cup. It’s truly an honour to captain you, lead you. It makes me extremely proud so this one is for all of us, for sure.
“To Thomas Tuchel and the staff at England again. The leadership, the way you drive us, the way you push standards is something to be admired and it's an honour to represent you and represent the England badge the way you do. I know Debbie [Hewitt, FA Chair] is here tonight as well, so Debbie, thank you very much for everything you do and everyone at the FA, it's truly an honour to be your captain.
“I want to say thank you to Tottenham Hotspur as well. I wouldn’t be where I am today without Tottenham, for sure. I was there from eleven years old. All the guidance, all the coaches, you allowed me to live my dream. So for sure, without all those moments together, all the ups and downs along the way of that journey, has led me to this moment here today, so just want to say thank you to Tottenham Hotspur.
“To all the fans, Bayern Munich fans, England fan, Spurs fans, and all my fans around the world, a lot of you in this room tonight. The support you give me in the stadiums, around the place, wherever it may be on social media, I appreciate it all. I remember being a fan not long ago and what it means to play football, and it was a dream of mine. Anytime I can give back to you guys, it’s a real honour and a privilege to do so.
“I want to give a shoutout to some of my coaches who have helped me along the way, and if I’ve forgot anyone, I'm really sorry, but I'll start from early days. Bradley Allen, Chris Ramsey, John McDermott - who's here tonight; Alex Inglethorpe, Tim Sherwood, and Ryan Mason - who's here tonight, one of my best friends; Kenny Jackett, Russell Slade, Harry Redknapp, Mauricio Pochettino, Jose Mourinho, Antonio Conte, and then Roy Hodgson, Gareth Southgate, and of course, my two managers, Vinnie and Thomas now.
“All you played a big role in my development all at different stages in my life and without each and every one of you, I wouldn't be standing here today. For sure, I learned lots and when you surround yourself with the best people, with the best coaches, it only improves you as a person and, and as a player, so thank you very much.
“More personal ones now. Dr. Alejandro Elorriaga Caraco - I hope I pronounced that right. You're here tonight. We’ve been working together nearly seven years. We started working after I tore my hamstring pretty much off the bone. He was a bright spark in my life at that time. We started working together. The time, the commitment, the work behind the scenes that no one else sees on the treatment table, giving up time away from family, you giving up time away from family, the work we do together, the friendship we formed as well, is a true honour. So thank you for all your work.
To Kelly, Gary, and Tom, my wife's parents and brother, thank you very much. I know how much support you give me. We all live these emotions together. You’ve made me feel part of the family from when I stepped into the house at 18 years old. I know how much you help off the pitch. It allows me to perform and do my best on the pitch, so thank you very much.
“My brother Charlie is here tonight. It didn't seem that long ago we was kicking a ball around the garden, over the park, watching football, talking football, just football mad. I know you tell me you gave me a lot of your footballing abilities, so thank you very much. I appreciate that. But to have that love and support from an older brother means the world to me. You travel, you watch, you give up time with your family to support me, so thank you.
“Mum and Dad sitting there as well. What a moment. All those years, the sacrifice you gave me, the support you gave me, the times taking me to training, coming to watch me play all, all around England, all around Germany, no matter where it was, even to this day you're there. There was never any pressure from you to become a footballer. It was always about working hard. It was always about improving. It was always about learning and all those traits that you have given me have allowed me to be successful and be here tonight. I love you. Thank you very much.
“My kids sat home watching, it's definitely past your bedtime, especially as we're [the ceremony] a little later than we hoped. So to Ivy, Vivienne, Louis and Henry. You're the reason I do this. I don't think you'll fully maybe appreciate bringing this trophy home. I'll bring a few others home, but this one is a special one, so I can't wait to see you and celebrate with you. I want to set a good example being a father but also being a professional and what it means to work hard, what it means to believe in yourself. I love you very much.
“To my wife, Kate, my best friend. We've been through ups and downs for sure. You're my biggest supporter. I actually felt like you wanted this more than me myself. The anxious wait for us to find out, I know it's been horrible for you, here it is - we've done it! You always want the best for me, you sacrifice yourself to help me achieve my dreams, and I know they're your dreams as well, so it wouldn't be possible without you. This is a trophy that we celebrate, not me. This is me and you, it's all the family, all our close-knit team, so I just want to say thank you, I love you. Can't wait to enjoy this and celebrate tonight for sure. Love you.
“And then lastly from me, it's just the journey. For any young boy or girl wanting to achieve their dreams. Anything is possible with hard work when no one else is watching. To go through the ups and downs, to learn through resilience, determination and self-belief. Like I said, anything is possible.
“My journey, it wasn't straightforward. I wasn't the kid who went straight to the top. I had to experience the downs. I experienced a lot of long moves. I had to fight my way to be the very best right now, and hope that can give you inspiration as well. Thank you very much.”