‘Wouldn’t Be Possible Without You’: Kane Dedicates Ballon d’Or to Wife Katie
Bayern Munich and England striker Harry Kane delivered an emotional tribute to his wife Katie Goodland
after winning the 2026 Ballon d’Or, telling her the achievement “wouldn’t be possible without you.”
Kane, 33, was crowned the world’s best male player at the ceremony held at the London Palladium on
Monday night, becoming the first Englishman to win the award in 25 years since Michael Owen in 2001.
He edged out Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé and Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal following a prolific season in
which he scored 73 goals for club and country.
In a speech lasting more than 10 minutes, an emotional Kane turned to his childhood sweetheart and
long-term partner, the mother of their four children.
“To my wife, Kate, my best friend,” Kane said. “We’ve been through ups and downs for sure. You’re my
biggest supporter. I actually felt like you wanted this more than me myself.
“The anxious wait for us to find out, I know it’s been horrible for you, here it is, we’ve done it! You
always want the best for me, you sacrifice yourself to help me achieve my dreams, and I know they’re
your dreams as well, so it wouldn’t be possible without you.
“This is a trophy that we celebrate, not me. This is me and you, it’s all the family, all our close-knit team,
so I just want to say thank you, I love you. Can’t wait to enjoy this and celebrate tonight for sure. Love
you.”
Kane also addressed his children, Ivy, Vivienne, Louis and Henry, who were watching from home.
He joked that it was past their bedtime and said they were the reason he plays, adding that he wanted
to set a good example as a father and professional.
The striker thanked his parents, brother Charlie, Bayern Munich teammates and staff (including a
message of support for head coach Vincent Kompany, who is recovering in hospital after collapsing last
week), former club Tottenham Hotspur, and England.
Kane and Goodland have been together since their school days in London and married in 2019.
By Oyinkansola Shittu.
