Harry Kane made history by winning the 2026 Ballon d’Or at the London Palladium on October 26, becoming the first English footballer in 25 years to claim the prestigious individual award. The Bayern Munich striker narrowly defeated Kylian Mbappé by just 28 points in one of the closest finishes in the award’s history. Kane secured 1,055 points, while Mbappé finished with 1,027. Lamine Yamal was also among the leading contenders but fell short of the winning tally.
Kane’s victory reflected an outstanding 2025-26 campaign, during which he scored an incredible 73 goals across all competitions for Bayern Munich. His remarkable scoring record helped him move ahead of a competitive field that included Mbappé and Yamal. Lionel Messi, meanwhile, finished fifth in the final standings.
However, one of the most memorable moments of Kane’s celebrations came from outside the football world. Indian cricket superstar Virat Kohli sent the England captain a congratulatory message following his Ballon d’Or triumph, leaving Kane genuinely surprised and starstruck.
ALSO READ: Urvil Patel Smashes Maiden First-Class Double Century, Continues Impressive Form
The cross-sport connection attracted considerable attention, with Harry Kane admitting that hearing from Kohli was particularly special. The Bayern forward has long admired the Indian batter’s achievements and global reputation, making the congratulatory message an unexpected highlight of his career-defining evening.
Q. Of all the congratulatory messages you’ve received, which one left you most starstruck?
A. People like David Beckham, who is a big idol of mine. Tom Brady, Virat Kohli, you know..a lot of sports people I really admire
— Harry Kane https://t.co/tVKbUdhv5W— Gaurav (@Melbourne__82) November 3, 2026
Kohli’s standing in world sport has been built through years of extraordinary performances. One of his most memorable efforts came during the 2016 T20 World Cup, when he scored an unbeaten 82 off 51 balls against Australia to guide India to victory in a high-pressure encounter. The innings remains among the tournament’s most celebrated performances.
Harry Kane and Virat Kohli reportedly met in London in May 2019, laying the foundation for their mutual respect. Consequently, Kohli’s message carried greater significance than a routine congratulatory gesture.
ALSO READ: Yashasvi Jaiswal Reveals How He Regained Form With Unbeaten 155 Against New Zealand A
Kohli’s influence also extends beyond cricket, with American football legend Tom Brady among the global sporting figures who have acknowledged his cross-sport appeal. For Kane, receiving a personal message from an athlete he deeply admires added an emotional dimension to an already historic Ballon d’Or celebration.
