HARRY KANE is the odds-on favourite to win the Ballon d’Or tonight.

If he proves the bookmakers right, he will be just the fifth English player to be crowned the best in the world.

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Harry Kane is the odds-on favourite to win this year’s Ballon d’Or Credit: Getty
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Michael Owen was the last Englishman to win the award, in 2001 Credit: Reuters

Sir Stanley Matthews, Sir and Kevin Keegan each got their hands on the in decades gone by.

The last time an Englishman joined them – on 18 December 2001 – the world was a very different place.

And although it wasn’t Kane, who was only eight years old, there was a different Harry at the top of the charts.

Namely the main character in the first edition of J. K. Rowling’s series, The Philosopher’s Stone, which was the No1 film at the time.

The first instalment of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Fellowship of the Ring, would also hit the cinemas the day after Owen’s crowning moment.

And elsewhere in pop culture, and topped the UK charts with Somethin’ Stupid.

Nickelback’s How You Remind Me was also a hot record, and would go on to become one of the most-played radio tunes of the 2000s.

As tonight’s ceremony approaches, gaming fanatics are still waiting for the release of VI next month.

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Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was the No1 film at the time Credit: Alamy
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Robbie Williams and Nicole Kidman topped the UK charts with Somethin’ Stupid Credit: PA:Press Association
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Alan Shearer was in red-hot form for Newcastle in late 2001 Credit: Getty

But the last time an Englishman won the Ballon d’Or, GTA III was the must-have game dominating Christmas lists.

Owen was a young Liverpool hotshot when he won it, though he would go on to play for Newcastle following a brief stint at .

And it was the Magpies who topped the Premier League in December 2001.

Sir Bobby Robson’s side were flying until the turn of the year, but fell away and had to make do with a fourth-place finish that brought them football.

Kane could end England‘s quarter-century-long streak at the London Palladium Theatre this evening.

And he could also end ‘s whopping 45-year wait for a winner.

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Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe are Kane’s main rivals for the Ballon d’Or Credit: Reuters

Last 10 Ballon d'Or winners

  • 2025 – Ousmane Dembele
  • 2024 – Rodri
  • 2023 – Lionel Messi
  • 2022 – Karim Benzema
  • 2021 – Lionel Messi
  • 2019 – Lionel Messi
  • 2018 – Luka Modric
  • 2017 – Cristiano Ronaldo
  • 2016 – Cristiano Ronaldo
  • 2015 – Lionel Messi
  • 2014 – Cristiano Ronaldo

Kane, 33, helped Bayern clinch the title and the German Cup last season, before guiding England to third place at the World Cup.

He hit a staggering 73 GOALS for club and country, dwarfing the totals of nearest rivals (58) and (25).

Former Tottenham talisman Kane admitted last week: “It’d be incredible if I do [win it]. It’d be special for sure.

“I’d love to win it, but we will have to wait and see. A big night, but I’m not getting carried away.”