Kane received football’s highest individual award on Monday, during a ceremony at the London Palladium, with enormous cheers when former Brazil forward Ronaldo read out the name of England’s captain.

Harry Kane as a Norwich City player (Image: PA Images)

The striker has been rewarded for years of consistent high-scoring with England and, more recently, Bayern Munich – but few would have predicted it when he joined Norwich on a season-long loan in August 2012.

His debut as a substitute in a home draw against West Ham was remembered largely for a missed opportunity in stoppage time with only the keeper to beat, and his luck failed him again when he suffered a broken metatarsal bone in only his second appearance.

He returned to Spurs for treatment and was back playing for City at the end of December, but was recalled four months early, having started just one league game, with two appearances as a sub.

Bennett was a team-mate at the time, and admitted on social media that Kane winning the Ballon d’Or would not have been on his radar.

“Congratulations to @HKane,” he wrote on X.

“Would never have believed this if you told me when we played together in 2012/2013!

“But the dedication, commitment, work rate and extra shooting you did @NorwichCityFC is something I now fully understand.

Incredible.”

In a stunning 2025-26 campaign, Kane scored 73 goals for club and country, won two trophies with Bayern Munich and led England to third place at the World Cup, helped the 33-year-old beat Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal to the prestigious award.

It made Kane the first English player since Michael Owen in 2001 to receive the accolade from France Football and added another chapter to a remarkable journey, which started with rejection by Arsenal and multiple difficult loan spells before a late breakthrough at boyhood club Tottenham.

After Kane followed in the footsteps of Stanley Matthews, Bobby Charlton, Kevin Keegan and Owen in sealing Ballon d’Or glory, he vowed to aim to retain the trophy in 12 months’ time.

“My heart was beating fast and I was just hoping he would say my name.

I mean, what a legend, Ronaldo was one of my idols growing up, so for him to be the one to present me the award, it’s a dream come true,” Kane said.

“Honestly just so many amazing feelings and to share these moments with my friends and with my family who are here.

Yeah, I would say it’s a dream come true, but it’s beyond my wildest dreams.”