Before Harry Kane, Michael Owen was the last Englishman to win the Ballon d’Or, claiming the award in 2001.

Journalists asked Owen to recall the moment he discovered he had been named the world’s best player, at a time when Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi were not yet established names in football. Both players were still emerging and had yet to make their mark on the global game.

The Ballon d’Or has been awarded since 1956.