Harry Kane becomes the first Englishman in 25 years to win the Ballon d'Or; Alexia Putellas wins her third
AP's account of the first Ballon d'Or ceremony held in London, with Kane's message to young players about his slow start and Putellas's comeback after an ACL tear.
Harry Kane won the men's Ballon d'Or on Monday, Oct. 26, at the London Palladium, the first Englishman to win it since Michael Owen in 2001, AP reports. Kane, 33, scored 73 goals for club and country last season, led Bayern Munich to the Bundesliga and German Cup double, and scored six times at the World Cup, where England finished third. Kylian Mbappe, Lamine Yamal, Rodri and Lionel Messi followed in the voting.
"My journey wasn't straightforward," Kane said in a message to young players. "I had to fight my way to be the very best."
Spain's Alexia Putellas won the women's award for a record-equaling third time, after winning in 2021 and 2022 and then tearing her ACL. She now plays for London City Lionesses. The ceremony was held in London for the first time to mark 70 years since the first winner, England's Stanley Matthews, in 1956.
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Stanley Matthews
After exploring Kane becomes first Englishman in 25 years to win Ballon d'Or and Putellas wins her third, the first-ever winner the ceremony honored is profiled in Stanley Matthews.
Matthews, nicknamed "The Wizard of Dribble", was the first winner of the European Footballer of the Year award and the only player knighted while still playing.
Wikipedia · Wade · 5 min
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