Harry Kane celebrated becoming the first British player in 25 years to win the Ballon d’Or with a family party at an exclusive London nightclub, dancing with his mother and raising a shot glass to the biggest honour of his career.
The England captain was joined by his parents, Kim and Patrick, his wife Kate, relatives and friends at Cirque Le Soir in Soho after collecting the prestigious football award at the London Palladium on Monday night.
Kane, 33, and his mother clutched shot glasses as guests raised bottles of Dom Perignon champagne in honour of the Bayern Munich striker.
His parents watched proudly as he was presented with the trophy by Brazilian football great Ronaldo. Kane saw off competition from Kylian Mbappe and Spain’s Lamine Yamal.
In a speech lasting just under nine minutes, Kane paid tribute to the support he received from his parents during his rise to the top of the game.
Looking towards them, he said: “Mum and Dad sitting there as well. What a moment. All those years, the sacrifice, the support you gave me, the times taking me to training, coming to watch me play.”
He added: “It was always about learning, and all those traits you have given me that have allowed me to be successful and be here tonight. I love you. Thank you.”
Kane also thanked former coaches and managers, including Harry Redknapp and Jose Mourinho, as well as those who helped develop his talent in his early days.
He praised his England team-mates and manager Thomas Tuchel, and paid tribute to Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany, who is recovering in hospital after collapsing at the club’s training ground last week.
Harry Kane dedicates Ballon d’Or to wife Kate
The striker reserved his most personal words for Kate, his childhood sweetheart and wife. The couple met at primary school in Chingford when they were nine and married in 2019.
They have four children: daughters Ivy and Vivienne, and sons Louis and Henry.
“To my wife, Kate, my best friend,” Kane said. “You’re my biggest supporter. You always want the best for me, you sacrifice yourself to help me achieve my dreams… it wouldn’t be possible without you.”
Dedicating the award to his wife, who wore a black floor-length Hugo Boss gown, he added: “This is a trophy that we celebrate, not me. This is me and you… I just want to say thank you. I love you.”
Kane left Tottenham Hotspur for Bayern Munich in 2023 in a deal worth £100 million. Friends have described Kate as a key source of support who keeps her husband’s football career ahead of public attention.
In a 2017 interview, Kane said he felt fortunate to have met his wife so young, adding that it meant he could be confident she was with him for the right reasons.
The England captain also used his speech to offer advice to young supporters, saying: “Anything is possible with hard work when no one is watching.”
He urged them to learn from “the ups and downs” through resilience, determination and self-belief.
Social media users praised Kane’s humility after the ceremony, while the prospect of a future knighthood was also raised. Andy Burnham said: “Harry Kane has given an enormous amount to English football, and this is a very special moment for him and the country.”
