How Harry Kane Won The Ballon D'Or
1- 27.10.2026, 12:31
At the age of eight, he was expelled from the Arsenal Academy.
Bayern Munich and England national team forward Harry Kane has won the Ballon d’Or. The ceremony took place on October 26 in London, and the award was presented to the forward by Brazilian Ronaldo. Kane became the first Englishman to win this award in a quarter of a century. The last of his compatriots to receive the “Golden Ball” was Michael Owen, according to el.kz.
Kane’s soccer career began with a setback. The boy spent a season at the Arsenal academy, after which the club parted ways with him.
The academy’s director at the time, Liam Brady, later explained the decision by saying that Harry was a bit chubby and not very athletic. Tottenham didn’t take him in at first either.
His father broke the news to his son during a walk in the park. Patrick Kane didn’t blame either Harry or the club. “Don’t worry, Harry. We’ll work harder,” he said.
Family as the First Team
Patrick and Kim Kane raised their two sons in Chingford, in East London. The younger son would disappear with his father and older brother Charlie into the park behind their house. Later, the soccer player recalled that all they needed was some grass and a couple of trees to serve as goals.
After being cut, Harry returned to his local team, Ridgeway Rovers, and then went for a tryout at Watford. In a match against his peers from “Tottenham,” he scored a hat trick, and the “Spurs” eventually signed him to their academy.
Today, Charlie runs his brother’s company and manages his contracts. Kane himself says that his family believed in him every step of the way.
Four Loan Spells
Even at Tottenham, it took years to break into the starting lineup. Time and again, the club sent the forward out on loan—first to Leyton Orient, then to Millwall, Norwich, and Leicester.
At Norwich, Kane broke his foot, and at Leicester, he was a backup to Jamie Vardy. Later, Leicester was ready to buy the forward from Tottenham for 600,000 pounds.
“One-Season Wonder”
His breakthrough came when manager Tim Sherwood started Kane in the Premier League. In his first full season, the forward scored 31 goals for Tottenham.
Opposing fans and some experts were quick to label him a “one-season wonder.” Many doubted that a striker lacking significant speed would be able to repeat such a performance.
A season later, Kane won the Premier League Golden Boot and then defended his title as the Premier League’s top scorer.
An Extra Hour on the Field
Teammates describe Kane as a creature of habit. Defender Danny Rose said that Harry would arrive at the training facility earlier than scheduled and head to the gym even before practice.
After the team session, he would stay behind to practice shots, penalty kicks, and free kicks, then head to the ice bath and the boxing ring. Kane describes his favorite drill as shooting under match conditions, with an awkward ball and only a split second to turn around.
Under Mauricio Pochettino, the coaches put together a strength program for him. Exercises targeting the hamstrings, glutes, and single-leg work were designed to improve the striker’s initial burst of speed.
Off-Field Routine
Kane pays just as much attention to recovery. For many years now, he has been working with his personal chef and nutritionist Dan Sargent, who tailors his meals to the specific day’s training load.
Ahead of Saturday’s match, the soccer player begins loading up on carbohydrates starting with Friday’s breakfast. Kane doesn’t drink alcohol at all.
The defining season of his career
Many considered his move to Bayern Munich after 19 years at Tottenham a risky one. In Germany, Kane finally won his first major trophies and took home a bronze medal at the World Cup with the English national team.
During the period considered for the voting, the forward scored 73 goals for his club and the national team. He also won the European Golden Boot and was named Forward of the Year.
From the stage, Kane addressed young players. He admitted that his journey had not been easy and that he had to fight for his place among the best, and expressed hope that his story would inspire others.
His next honor could be a knighthood
Back home, people are already discussing whether Kane will be knighted. This summer, Liberal Democrat MP Leila Moran introduced a motion in the British Parliament to confer a knighthood on the forward.
The impetus was a World Cup record, in which Kane surpassed Pelé in total goals scored. Moran called on MPs from all parties to support the initiative, and urged the government and the palace to prepare a sword for “Sir Harry.”
There are precedents in English soccer. Among former “Golden Ball” winners, Stanley Matthews and Bobby Charlton have been knighted. Kane himself is already a Member of the Order of the British Empire.
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