Thomas Tuchel Proud as Harry Kane Wins Ballon d’Or 2026 and Ends England’s 25-Year Wait
England head coach Thomas Tuchel has expressed his pride after Harry Kane was crowned the 2026 Ballon d’Or winner, recognising the Bayern Munich striker’s exceptional performances over the past year. Kane became the first English footballer to win the prestigious individual award since Michael Owen in 2001, capping a remarkable period of individual and team success.
Kane secured the honour at the Ballon d’Or ceremony at London’s Palladium Theatre, beating Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal to finish first in the voting. His outstanding performances helped Bayern Munich win both the Bundesliga and the DFB-Pokal, while his prolific scoring record further strengthened his credentials for football’s most coveted individual prize.
The England captain scored 73 goals for club and country during the 2025/26 season, including 61 for Bayern and 12 for the national team. He also played an important role in England’s third-place finish at the 2026 World Cup, adding another significant achievement to an already impressive campaign.
Kane has now become the fifth Englishman to win the Ballon d’Or, following Stanley Matthews, Bobby Charlton, Kevin Keegan and Michael Owen. Keegan won the award twice, in 1978 and 1979, making Kane’s triumph another historic moment for English football.
Speaking to The Independent, Tuchel praised his captain’s achievement and admitted that Kane’s performances had long exceeded the need for further words of admiration. The German coach was particularly pleased to see the striker receive international recognition for his consistency and contribution to the game.
“Congratulations to Harry on winning the Ballon d’Or. I ran out of superlatives to describe his performances a long time ago, but I’m delighted to see him finally receive formal recognition from the football world. Becoming the first Englishman to win this prestigious award in 25 years makes it even more special, and we are fortunate to have him as our captain,” Tuchel said.
The England manager also expressed his hope that Kane would continue delivering the goals and victories that have defined his career. For Tuchel, the Ballon d’Or represents not only recognition of the striker’s past achievements but also an opportunity to celebrate his continued importance to both club and country.
Kane has maintained his impressive form with Bayern this season. Across 12 appearances in all competitions, the forward has recorded 10 goals and seven assists, demonstrating that his influence extends beyond simply finding the back of the net.
Tuchel believes Kane’s determination and professionalism will remain central to his success, with the England captain expected to continue setting high standards for himself and his teammates.
“I know you will enjoy this moment with your loved ones before getting back to doing what you do best: scoring goals and winning football matches,” Tuchel added.
Kane will have little time to dwell on his personal triumph as Bayern prepare for their next fixture. The Bavarian club are scheduled to face Magdeburg in the second round of the DFB-Pokal on Thursday, October 29, giving the England captain an immediate opportunity to continue his impressive run.
For Tuchel and England, Kane’s Ballon d’Or victory is a moment of immense pride. It ends a quarter-century wait for an English winner and further reinforces the striker’s standing among the elite players of his generation.
