Ballon d'Or: How Kane won without World Cup, Champions League

He saw off stiff competition from second-placed Kylian Mbappe (France, Real Madrid) and the three-time winner of the Men's Young Talent of the Year, Lamine Yamal (Spain, Barcelona). Kane, 33, also emerged as the first English player to win the coveted individual football award in 25 years.

He became the fifth Englishman to win the Ballon d'Or: Stanley Matthews (1956), Bobby Charlton (1966), Kevin Keegan (1978 and 1979), and Michael Owen (2001) - alongside Scottish winner Denis Law (1964) and Northern Irish winner George Best (1968). The ceremony took place at the London Palladium to mark the award's 70th anniversary.

The award was presented by Brazilian great Ronaldo Nazário. While receiving the award, Kane said, "I am almost speechless.

Being here in London has made it extra special. Thank you to everyone who voted for me.

I can imagine it was tough this year. "[There are] some world-class players in the room tonight.

Congratulations to all the winners and nominees tonight. [It is] an impressive showing of determination and what hard work can really achieve.

According to BBC Sport late Monday, Kane scored 61 goals in 51 club matches last season, the most a Bayern player has ever scored in one campaign. Including England matches, it was 73 goals - plus eight assists - in 65 matches.

He also became the first Bayern player to win the Ballon d'Or since Karl-Heinz Rummenigge in 1981. His side suffered a 6-5 aggregate defeat at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain in last season's Champions League.

England also lost 2-1 to Argentina in their World Cup semi-final. Yet, for a player who was placed 10th in the 2024 Ballon d'Or ranking, Kane has now been crowned the latest Ballon d'Or winner without winning either of football's biggest prizes last season - the Champions League and World Cup.