Jamie Carragher hails Harry Kane after England star ends 25-year Ballon d’Or wait
Harry Kane has been hailed by Jamie Carragher after making history by winning the 2026 men’s Ballon d’Or in London, becoming the first English player to claim football’s most prestigious individual award since Michael Owen in 2001.
The Bayern Munich striker edged a fiercely-contested race to lift the coveted trophy, with Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe finishing second and Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal taking third place.
Kane’s triumph marks a significant moment for English football, ending a 25-year wait for a homegrown winner and earning praise from former Liverpool defender and Sky Sports pundit Carragher.
World Cup 2026 analysis: Why Thomas Tuchel’s England squad suddenly makes sense
After plenty of question marks over Thomas Tuchel’s squad selection ahead of the 2026 World Cup, that good old English optimism has returned following the Three Lions’ 4-2 win over Croatia in their opening group stage match.
Suddenly, the exclusion of the likes of Phil Foden, Cole Palmer and Trent Alexander-Arnold don’t seem to bother fans as much.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Jacob Hibbert takes a look at why this crop of England players are perfect for what manager Tuchel is trying to achieve.
England news: Harry Kane calls out club priorities as nine players withdraw from squad
England captain Harry Kane has voiced frustration over a growing trend of players prioritising club commitments over international duty.
Sports News Blitz’s Noah Ngcobo delves into the implications of these absences as the Three Lions look to secure promotion to League A, questioning if loyalty to the national team is starting to wane in modern football.
Euro 2024 news: England ‘haven’t clicked yet’, admits captain Harry Kane
England captain Harry Kane admits the Three Lions ‘haven’t quite clicked right’ at Euro 2024, where they face Slovenia in their final Group C game on Tuesday night.