Sports News
Kane wins the Ballon d'Or in London: England's first winner in 25 years
Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane won the men's Ballon d'Or at a ceremony in London on Monday. He is the first Englishman to win it in 25 years, since Michael Owen in 2001, The Japan Times reports. Alexia Putellas won the women's award.
Khaleej Times reported that Kane, 33, finished ahead of Kylian Mbappe in second and Lamine Yamal in third, after scoring 73 goals in 65 games for club and country. It was the first Ballon d'Or ceremony held in England. Putellas won for a third time; Yamal took the young player award again, and Spain's Luis de la Fuente was named best men's coach.
“I love to represent my country and to bring this trophy back to them.” — Harry Kane, via Khaleej Times
The South China Morning Post called the win “beyond my wildest dreams” for Kane, but also looked ahead: he still wants the Champions League with Bayern and to end England's long wait for a major tournament. BBC Sport replayed an interview from August in which Kane explained how his game has changed in recent seasons.
How each outlet framed it
- The Japan Times — the history: England's first winner since 2001.
- South China Morning Post — what is still missing: European and international trophies.
- BBC Sport — the player: how Kane rebuilt his game.
- Khaleej Times — the full list of winners and his goal tally.
What we don't know yet: whether Kane can add the trophies the SCMP lists as missing: a Champions League with Bayern and a major tournament with England.