Harry Kane has set his sights on winning the UEFA Champions League with Bayern Munich and ending England’s long wait for a major international trophy after being crowned the Ballon d’Or winner. The England captain received the prestigious award in London on Monday, becoming the first English player in 25 years to claim the honour. He beat fellow football stars Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal to emerge as the world’s best player.
Kane’s recognition follows an outstanding season in which he scored 73 goals in 65 appearances for club and country, helping Bayern Munich secure a domestic league and cup double. Speaking after receiving the award, the 33-year-old described the achievement as beyond anything he had imagined, expressing pride in representing England on the global football stage. Despite his individual success, Kane is eager to add more major trophies to his collection. Since joining Bayern in 2023, he has won domestic honours but is yet to lift the Champions League trophy. Bayern were eliminated in last season’s semi-finals by eventual champions Paris Saint-Germain.
The striker has also endured disappointment with England, losing the European Championship finals in 2021 and 2024. England’s defeat to Argentina in the World Cup semi-finals added to his frustrations on the international stage. However, Kane remains determined to achieve more before his career ends, identifying European club football’s biggest prize and an international trophy with England as his main ambitions.
He also reflected on the difficult early years of his career, when Tottenham sent him on four loan spells to lower-league clubs before he established himself in the first team. Kane believes those experiences helped shape his mentality and determination to succeed. He said the challenges taught him not to take his position for granted, knowing that younger players are always working towards replacing established stars. Now recognised among football’s elite, Kane hopes to use his experience and continued ambition to help Bayern Munich conquer Europe and lead England to its first major men’s international trophy since the 1966 World Cup.
