For Kane, winning the trophy will have been special for many reasons on a personal level, having gone through ups and downs in his career to reach the top.
But the Bundesliga and Bayern know how important this will be for the league and the club respectively.
After Kane was announced as the Ballon d’Or winner, large images of the Bundesliga were projected onto London landmarks such as The Strand and the Tate Modern, some featuring the words “England Hero. Bundesliga Legend”.
For the league, Kane’s victory will show the players that they can progress to the Bundesliga and be recognized as the best player in the world, while for Bayern it will show that they are capable of attracting top talent.
Marc Lenz, chief executive of the Bundesliga, said: “Winning the Ballon d’Or is a fantastic recognition of Harry Kane’s extraordinary performances – and also a great success for Bayern and the Bundesliga.
“Harry is not only one of the exceptional players of his generation; he combines sporting excellence with immense professionalism, commitment and respect for the game. He gives his all for his team and inspires fans around the world.
“He is a fantastic role model for young players and an exceptional ambassador for the Bundesliga.
“This achievement also underlines that the Bundesliga is a stage where the best players in the world play at the highest level.”
Bayern chief executive Jan-Christian Dreesen added: “For a player from a German club to win the Ballon d’Or for the first time in 30 years is a strong signal for the Bundesliga,” he said.
“Harry is one of the great personalities of world football and a role model for all, well beyond the game.”
German journalist Raphael Honigstein said live on BBC Radio 5 that Kane’s impact at Bayern had been significant.
“It’s made a huge difference,” he said live on BBC Radio 5.
“There are the goals, but beyond that it is focused on Bayern. After four and a half decades, Bayern have a player with international recognition like Kane.
“It’s big for the team and big for the club because they always crave that international validation, whether it’s through the European Cup or through these individual trophies.
“It’s huge.”
Kane’s victory was understandably praised in the German media, with Henning Feindt, Bild’s sports editor, writing: “He is the biggest star the league could wish for.
“For 30 years (since Matthias Sammer in 1996), no Bundesliga player has won the most coveted trophy in world football. And for 45 years, no Bayern Munich player has won it (since Karl-Heinz Rummenigge). The message Kane sends to all the world’s superstars: it’s possible in the Bundesliga too.”
Gn world
