Harry Kane won the 2026 Ballon d'Or, and his public welcome was accompanied by a special tribute to his longtime coaches. During his acceptance speech at the Palladium Theater in London, the center forward of Bayern Munich and the English national team mentioned three key figures in his career: Kompany, Conte and JoséMourinho, underlining the importance of each in his growth path.
The most shared moment on social media was the memory of an interview in January 2024, conducted for the Prime Video documentary “All or Nothing – Tottenham Hotspur”. In that scene, Mourinho, who was managing Tottenham at the time, told Kane: "You are a winner." The manager explained that, observing Kane's relationship with former manager Mauricio Pochettino, he believed the same talent could shine under his guidance. “You are a winner,” he repeated, highlighting his confidence in the player's future.
Kane responded with humility, declaring that he aspires to reach the levels of Messi and Ronaldo. Mourinho then pointed out that English football is now respected globally and that, with the right visibility, Kane will be able to consolidate his international reputation. “I myself had the opportunity to build a global image,” he added, highlighting his experience as an example for the young striker.
Kane's speech at the Palladium was a true tribute to his evolution, from his Premier League debut to the role of captain of the national team. He thanked his family, teammates, managers and, above all, his coaches, recognizing that success is the result of collective work. The mention of Mourinho has awakened the memory of a dialogue which, years later, has proven prophetic.
With the Ballon d'Or in hand, Kane prepares for a new chapter in his career, now with the pressure of maintaining form and leadership at both club and country level. His next goal will certainly be to qualify for the next World Cup, where he will be able to demonstrate once again that he is a true winner.