Henry calls Kane ‘worthy winner’ after clinching 2026 Ballon d’Or

​Henry, who confessed he backed his fellow countrymen to win the award, said Kane “had to suffer really hard to achieve what he has achieved”.

​By Kehinde Okeowo

​French pundit and Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has admitted that Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane is deserving of the 2026 Ballon d’Or award, calling him “a worthy winner”.

​The former France striker made this known while speaking about this year’s winner of the highly coveted award in a recent interview with DAZN.

​Kane won the award on Monday night amid stiff competition from Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappé, Rodri, and Lionel Messi.

​During the year under review, the England captain won the European Golden Shoe as Bayern lifted the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal titles.

​The former Tottenham Hotspur striker also netted an incredible 73 goals for club and country in the process.

​ALSO READ: ’I’m almost speechless’ – Kane reacts to winning 2026 Ballon d’Or

​Reacting to winning the award, an emotional Kane said: “Wow, I’m almost speechless. First of all, thanks again to France Football and the Ballon d’Or for this amazing event. Being in London, it is extra special; it felt like a good omen.

​”Thank you to everyone for voting for me. I can imagine it was very tough. Thank you to everyone that voted for me.”

​However, while applauding the feat, Henry confessed that despite backing his fellow countrymen to win the award, the Englishman deserved it.

​He went on to say that he witnessed Kane’s development and that the forward “had to suffer really hard to achieve what he has achieved”.

​”I would always back my fellow Frenchmen, but I have to say something about Harry Kane,” Henry told DAZN.

​”I have seen him since the beginning. He had to suffer really hard to achieve what he has achieved. A worthy winner, well done.”