Kohli congratulates Kane on Ballon d'Or win: 'You deserve every bit'
Synopsis
Virat Kohli joining the global chorus of congratulations for Harry Kane's Ballon d'Or win is a cross-sport moment — but the real story is Kane's numbers: 73 goals in 65 games, a second European Golden Shoe, a Bundesliga title, and England's best World Cup finish since 1966. Only the fifth Englishman to win the award, Kane's triumph ends a 25-year English drought and rewrites how his career will be remembered.
Key Takeaways
Virat Kohli congratulated Harry Kane via a post on X on 27 October 2026 , calling him deserving of every bit of the honour.
Harry Kane won the Ballon d'Or at the ceremony at the London Palladium Theatre , beating Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal .
Kane became the fifth Englishman to win the award, ending a 25-year English drought since Michael Owen in 2001.
Kane scored 73 goals in 65 games in 2025/26 — 61 for Bayern Munich and 12 for England — including 36 Bundesliga goals that earned him a second European Golden Shoe .
Kane helped England finish third at FIFA World Cup 2026 , the team's best result since winning it in 1966 .
He also received the Gerd Müller Trophy for Striker of the Year for the second time, having shared it with Mbappé in 2024.
Indian cricket star Virat Kohli has congratulated England football captain Harry Kane on winning the Ballon d'Or, saying the striker deserves the honour for his resilience and hard work. Kohli posted his message on X on 27 October 2026, adding a personal touch that resonated widely across sporting circles.
Kohli's Message to Kane
In a heartfelt post on X, Kohli wrote: 'Harry my friend, you deserve every bit of this award for your resilience, hard work and honesty with which you've carried yourself through all these years playing football at the top. Really happy for you. God bless you and your family. They must all be very proud of you as you would be of your own journey. My best wishes always. Congratulations.'
The gesture underscores the cross-sport camaraderie that elite athletes increasingly share on social media, with Kohli's message drawing significant attention given his own stature as one of cricket's greatest ever batters.
Kane's Historic Ballon d'Or Victory
Kane received the Ballon d'Or at a ceremony held at the London Palladium Theatre, edging out competition from Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal to claim the sport's most prestigious individual accolade. He became only the fifth Englishman to win the award, joining Sir Stanley Matthews (1956), Sir Bobby Charlton (1966), Kevin Keegan (1978 and 1979), and Michael Owen (2001).
Kane also received the Gerd Müller Trophy for the best men's Striker of the Year — his second such honour, having shared it with Mbappé in 2024.
A Season of Records for Kane
The numbers behind Kane's Ballon d'Or are staggering. The Bayern Munich striker scored 73 goals in 65 games across all competitions in the 2025/26 season — 61 for Bayern and 12 for England. His 36 Bundesliga goals earned him a second European Golden Shoe, while he also helped Bayern lift the Bundesliga title, the DFB-Pokal, and the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup.
He was Europe's top scorer last season, a distinction that few strikers have maintained with such consistency at the highest level.
England's World Cup Milestone
Kane's Ballon d'Or campaign was further bolstered by his contributions to England's third-place finish at the FIFA World Cup 2026 earlier this summer — the Three Lions' best performance at a World Cup since they won the tournament in 1966. The achievement added an international dimension to what was already a club season for the ages.
What This Means
Kane's triumph ends a long wait for English football, coming 25 years after Michael Owen's win in 2001. It also signals a shifting of the guard in global football, with Mbappé and Yamal — long considered heir apparents — both falling short this time. For Kane personally, the award vindicates a career that saw him endure early criticism and a persistent narrative about his lack of major trophies before his Bayern move transformed his legacy.
Point of View
But the Kane story is bigger than a celebrity endorsement. The Ballon d'Or going to an Englishman for the first time in 25 years reflects a genuine shift in world football's power structure — Mbappé's Paris era never quite delivered on its promise, and Yamal is still building. Kane, once criticised for trophy drought, now has a Bundesliga title, a World Cup bronze, and the Ballon d'Or. It is a remarkable late-career vindication. The cross-sport salute from Kohli — who knows something about carrying a national team's expectations for two decades — gives the moment an additional layer of authenticity that pure football coverage alone cannot supply.
NationPress
27 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Virat Kohli say to Harry Kane about the Ballon d'Or?
Kohli posted on X congratulating Kane, writing: 'Harry my friend, you deserve every bit of this award for your resilience, hard work and honesty with which you've carried yourself through all these years playing football at the top.' He also wished Kane and his family well.
Who did Harry Kane beat to win the 2026 Ballon d'Or?
Harry Kane beat Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal to win the Ballon d'Or, receiving the award at a ceremony at the London Palladium Theatre.
How many goals did Harry Kane score in the 2025-26 season?
Kane scored 73 goals in 65 games across all competitions in 2025/26 — 61 for Bayern Munich and 12 for England. His 36 Bundesliga goals earned him a second European Golden Shoe.
Is Harry Kane the first Englishman to win the Ballon d'Or?
No. Kane is the fifth Englishman to win the award. The previous winners were Sir Stanley Matthews (1956), Sir Bobby Charlton (1966), Kevin Keegan (1978 and 1979), and Michael Owen (2001).
What did England achieve at FIFA World Cup 2026?
England finished third at FIFA World Cup 2026, their best result at a World Cup since winning the tournament in 1966. Kane's goals were a key factor in the team's run to the third-place finish.
