Why Harry Kane's Ballon d'Or win is a victory for everyone: "I feel like I'm living a dream"

Harry Kane winning the men’s Ballon d’Or in London on Monday was a win for everyone.

His journey from struggling to break through at Tottenham Hotspur in his early 20s just over a decade ago to being named the best player on the planet in 2026 has been an inspirational one.

MORE — Reaction to Harry Kane winning his first Ballon d’Or

Kane, 33, was never lauded as the most talented, the quickest, or the most skillful player when he was breaking through, but his sheer will to improve, dedicate himself to his craft and never giving up on developing is an inspiration to us all.

Harry Kane: “Anything is possible with hard work when no one else is watching”

"It's 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 and learn from resilience, determination and self belief, anything is possible" Kane said when accepting the Ballon d'Or trophy on stage on Monday in his home city of London.

"I hope my journey... it wasn't straightforward, you know? I wasn't a kid that went straight to the top. I had to experience the downs, experience a lot of loan moves. I had to fight my way to be the very best right now. I hope that can give you inspiration."

Just a few miles from where he grew up in humble beginnings in east London, kids in the street cheered as Kane walked out of the London Palladium and hoisted the magnificent golden trophy into the air. With his family around him, smiling and emotional, Kane had finally been recognized as the best of the best. This was not expected from Kane. At all. But it has been coming.

Historic season deserved to be rewarded

The 2025-26 season Kane had will go down in history. He scored 73 goals for Bayern Munich and England, with only Lionel Messi in 2011-12 scoring more than Kane for club and country in a single season.

He led Bayern to the German league and cup double and a run to the Champions League semifinals, captained England to a third-place finish at the World Cup and scored brilliant goals and did everything he could for the team.

Kane has been relentless over the last 18 months and he shows no signs of slowing down. After years of coming so close to winning trophies he has now tasted glory at Bayern and won the highest individual honor in the game. It feels like there are still plenty of goals and trophies coming up for Kane and you know he's going to find different ways to keep improving and stay at the top for as long as he can. Because that is Harry Kane.

Kane is a consummate professional and is always finding ways to get better. Tom Brady's journey is his bible in terms of proving people wrong, always getting the most of himself and never giving up. Like Brady, Kane has had to work his way to the very top the hard way and his historic brilliance is now just accepted as the norm.

Harry Kane the person should also be celebrated

But aside from being a wonderful player, Kane is also a good person.

Seeing him up close over the years, Kane makes a point of shaking the hands of as many people as he can in a crowded room. He is humble and treats others with respect. Speaking to those that know his family, Kane is an extension of them. When you speak to him, Kane always looks you square in the face and listens and takes the time to understand your questions. He shows everyone respect and dignity. It is who he is.

When his team loses, he's one of the only players who will pretty much always front things up and speak to reporters and be a spokesperson for the team. Kane never shirks responsibility. He does things the right way.

On the pitch his journey speaks for itself. From loan moves to Leyton Orient, Millwall, Norwich City and Leicester City, which didn't really set the world alight, Kane never gave up. He always believed in himself and the journey. He became Spurs and England's all-time leading goalscorer. He will go down as one of the greatest players England has ever produced. Step by step Kane has worked his way to the top.

Harry Kane is living proof that the journey is worth the destination. And his journey should be an inspiration to us all.

"Work hard in silence. Let success be your noise," said Kane on social media after winning the Ballon d'Or.

His motto is one which will now be heard loudly across the world.

Keep going. Never give up. Stay focused. From a loan spell at Leyton Orient to the Ballon d'Or, Harry Kane's journey is living proof that absolutely anything is possible.