[category]
[title]
If you’re “the best” at anything, one of the most iconic buildings in the world should light up for you—and that’s what the Empire State Building did for footballer Harry Kane on Monday.
FC Bayern Munich’s striker won the Ballon d'Or award on Monday, making him the first Englishman in 25 years to win the honor.
RECOMMENDED: 15 athlete-owned restaurants in America every sports fan should visit
As the most prestigious award in soccer, the Ballon d’Or is given to the best player of a given year. FIFA has awarded Lionel Messi with it a record eight times, followed by Cristiano Ronaldo with five. Johan Cruyff, Michel Platini and Marco van Basten have each won the award three times, while Alfredo Di Stéfano, Franz Beckenbauer, Kevin Keegan, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Ronaldo have each won it twice.
According to the BBC, Kane scored 61 goals in 51 club matches last season, which is the most a Bayern player has ever struck in one campaign. Including England matches, it was 73 goals, plus eight assists, in 65 matches. Only one player at a club in Europe's top five leagues has ever scored more goals in a season. That’s why he was given the award.
In an emotional speech, he thanked his teammates and coaching staff and those who voted for him.
"I am almost speechless … Thank you to everyone who voted for me. I can imagine it was tough this year," he said. “To my England teammates, again the same. We had a special year. It wasn't the perfect year, but we had a load of great moments. We built a great bond together. The togetherness in the hotel in the World Cup. An honor to captain you and lead you. It makes me extremely proud. This one is for all of us for sure.”
You can watch his emotional speech below and send your own congratulations to Harry Kane here.
On Monday night, the Empire State Building lit up in gold in his honor, and boy did it sparkle.
View this post on Instagram