Jamie Carragher: Harry Kane would never have won the Ballon d’Or at Tottenham

Jamie Carragher has said Harry Kane's success in the 2026 Ballon d'Or vindicates his decision to leave the Premier League.

Kane was named winner of the Ballon d'Or at Monday's awards, beating Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal to the honour.

The 33-year-old scored 73 goals for club and country last season and has now been recognised as the world's finest footballer.

Kane won the European Golden Shoe at Bayern Munich last season, before scoring six times as England finished third at the 2026 World Cup. He's become just the fifth Englishman to win the Ballon d'Or and first for 25 years.

"Absolutely delighted. What a career he's had, what a player he is, and as a country, we haven't got enough Ballon d'Or winners," Carragher said to Sky Sports.

"It's certainly been a long time. My former team-mate Michael Owen was the last to win it in 2001, so it's been a long wait.

"But in terms of Harry Kane, and I think Jude Bellingham, who's going to be a future Ballon d'Or winner, we do have two of the greatest players of their era.

"I'm delighted for Kane and the country."

Harry Kane’s Ballon d’Or triumph proves leaving the Premier League was the right move

Kane has scored 156 goals in 159 games since leaving Tottenham for Bayern Munich in 2023. His decision to leave the Premier League was questioned by some, given the league's all-time goal record was within reach, but Carragher said his Ballon d'Or triumph justifies that decision.

"I thought he might be obsessed with the Premier League goalscoring record, but he's obsessed with goalscoring records, not just that one.

"But it also gives him a great chance of winning the Champions League and being involved in Ballon d'Or selections.

"There's no way Harry Kane could've won the Ballon d'Or if he was playing for Tottenham."