Harry Kane said his Ballon d’Or triumph “feels like a dream” as tributes poured in from Prince William, England manager Thomas Tuchel and Bayern Munich.

The England and Bayern forward beat Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe to be named the world’s best men’s footballer at the London Palladium late on Monday. He is the first Englishman to win the award since Michael Owen in 2001.

Kane, 33, scored 73 goals in 65 games for club and country last season, helping Bayern to a league and cup double. The England captain also won the men’s striker of the year award, and scored six times as England finished third at the World Cup in North America.

Wembley was lit up in his honour, and England’s X account said: “The home of the world’s best footballer.”

“It sounds crazy to be honest but it sounds pretty good,” Kane told Sky Sports. “What a special night. An incredible feeling. I’m still just trying to take it all in really. It feels really, really like a dream.”

He described the moment his name was called. “The emotion was relief, joy, happiness, excitement,” he said. “There was so much waiting to find out the winner and in that moment it was quite nerve-wracking so to have that kind of release and to be able to share it with everyone there in that theatre was special.”

Prince William, patron of the Football Association, praised the England skipper on Instagram. “What a fantastic achievement and so deserved,” he wrote. “A brilliant captain, a remarkable player and someone who has given football fans across the world so many unforgettable moments.”

Tuchel, who managed Kane at Bayern after the striker moved to Germany in 2023, said England were “lucky” to have him as captain. “I ran out of superlatives to describe your performances a long time ago, but I’m delighted to see that you have now been formally recognised by the football world,” he said.

“To become the first Englishman to win this huge honour in 25 years makes it extra special and we are lucky to have you as our leader.”

England midfielder Declan Rice of Arsenal called Kane “incredible”, while Chelsea’s Morgan Rogers, another international teammate, said he was the “best ever”.

Bayern president Herbert Hainer called it “a proud day for FC Bayern”. “Harry Kane can do it all, and he scores goals, goals and more goals,” he said. “He now joins a line with Franz Beckenbauer, Gerd Muller and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge that says everything about our history. The club and Harry Kane have got together, grown together and achieved the highest aims together. We are proud that this all-round outstanding sportsman and person is part of our FC Bayern family.”

Former Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp told the BBC that Kane’s all-round game was “brilliant”. “It isn’t just his goal scoring that is good, it is his all-round play, and the way he is around the players,” he said. “He is great as the England captain. No one could have deserved this more, it has been a brilliant story.” (The Nation)