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Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane has become the first Englishman in 25 years to win the Ballon d’Or. The 33-year-old is also England’s joint record appearance maker and record scorer with 89 goals in 124 international appearances, though his rise to the top involved overcoming early rejections and loan spells.
From safe hands to hot-shot striker
When Kane joined Ridgeway Rovers in 1999 as a six-year-old, the youth side initially thought they had found a goalkeeper after he volunteered during a shooting session and made impressive saves, as reported by BBC Sport. However, a parent informed coach Dave Bricknell that the youngster was better on the pitch, where he subsequently began scoring goals freely.
His prolific form caught the attention of professional scouts, leading to a spell at Arsenal before the club decided against keeping him at age 11, while Watford also passed on the youngster. Former Arsenal academy coach Alex Welsh noted that Kane was a competent young goalkeeper whose desire to score goals gave him an intuitive understanding of what goalkeepers dislike.
The model student and Tottenham arrival
During his school years at Larkswood Primary Academy and Chingford Foundation School, Kane impressed teachers with his technical ability and work ethic, while also excelling as a cricketer. Former PE teacher Mark Leadon highlighted his determination to succeed, while childhood friend Luke Robinson recalled that Kane lived and breathed football.
Tottenham Hotspur offered Kane a path forward after his early disappointments, with the future captain signing scholarship terms on his 16th birthday in July 2009. Former youth coach Alex Inglethorpe stated that Kane was not the standout player initially, but his low-maintenance attitude, desire to learn, and obsession with doing extra training set him apart.
Living the loan life
Kane experienced senior football through several loan spells, starting with League One side Leyton Orient where he scored five times in nine starts. Former teammate Scott McGleish praised Kane’s readiness to learn men’s football and work hard despite being a slight 17-year-old.
A subsequent loan spell in January 2012 saw Kane score nine goals to help Championship side Millwall avoid relegation. Former Millwall defender Alan Dunne and former Tottenham manager Tim Sherwood both noted that the intimidating atmosphere at the Den did not faze the focused young forward. Following his Premier League debut for Tottenham in August 2012, Kane had further loan stints with Norwich and Leicester City.
Breaking through at Tottenham
Kane spent the 2013-14 campaign entirely with Tottenham and scored his first Premier League goal in April against Sunderland after manager Tim Sherwood handed him his first top-flight start. Sherwood stated that Kane was outperforming Roberto Soldado in training every day and possessed the ability, desire, and mentality to reach the top.
After scoring 21 top-flight goals the following season, Kane earned his first England call-up in March 2015. He finished his Tottenham career as the club’s all-time top scorer with 280 goals in 435 appearances, alongside three Premier League Golden Boots.
Success at Bayern Munich and Ballon d’Or glory
Seeking the trophies missing from his career, Kane moved to German club Bayern Munich in 2023, where he has scored 156 goals in 159 games, secured three Bundesliga Golden Boots, two German titles, and a German Cup. Former Bayern defender Lothar Matthaus praised his versatility, noting that Kane functions simultaneously as a goalscorer, playmaker, and box-to-box player.
Former England striker Alan Shearer and BBC pundit Chris Sutton both praised his exceptional sharpness, confidence, and uncoachable instincts following a prolific goalscoring campaign.
