Jose Mourinho And Harry Kane Past Conversation Emerges After Ballon d

Jose Mourinho And Harry Kane Past Conversation Emerges After Ballon d Or Win

Harry Kane acknowledged Jose Mourinho after claiming his first Ballon d Or, bringing attention back to an early conversation they had at Tottenham.

NationPulse Desk

Oct 27, 2026 · 6:47 PM 4 min read

Key takeaways

Harry Kane won his first Ballon d Or last night and thanked Jose Mourinho in his speech.

Jose Mourinho managed Harry Kane for 17 months at Tottenham.

During their first meeting at Hotspur Way, Kane told Mourinho he wanted to reach the levels of Messi and Ronaldo.

Harry Kane finished first in the Men's Ballon d Or rankings ahead of Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal.

Harry Kane expressed gratitude to Jose Mourinho following his first Ballon d Or victory last night.

The Bayern Munich forward played under Mourinho for 17 months during his tenure at Tottenham.

During their initial official encounter, the manager known as the Special One encouraged him to create history.

Summoned into the main office at the Hotspur Way training ground, Kane informed Mourinho of his ambition to reach the standards of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese coach replied by asserting that he could achieve it.

As documented on All or Nothing: Tottenham, Mourinho stated: "Very simple. I believe that you have a very good relationship with Mauricio [Pochettino]."

Mourinho added: "I love that. I always think, good relationship with the previous manager, why not a good relationship with me?"

He continued: "So I see you in training yesterday, I have not doubts that you are a winner, that is my feeling."

He noted: "The world looks to English football with an incredible respect, but they still think the movie stars of football belong to other places."

He stated: "I think we have to build also your status in that direction. My profile... I am a little bit that as a coach."

He concluded: "The reality is that my dimension is universal and by being with me I think I can help you to..."

Kane replied: "That is my aim. When you are at a club like Tottenham, of course we have done well and personally I have done well, but I want to be Ronaldo, Messi..."

Mourinho responded: "Yes! Yes! What I don't accept, because it is my f***ing nature, I don't accept being here and winning nothing - f***ing hell - I don't."

He added: "But I feel we can because of you, because of you."

He stated: "You have better players than I had at Manchester United, so I think the club has a lot to explode."

Now, years later, Kane stands recognized as the top player globally.

During his Ballon d Or acceptance speech, Kane said: "I want to give a shout out to some of my coaches who have helped me along the way."

He listed: "Bradley Allen, Chris Ramsey, Tim Sherwood, Ryan Mason is here tonight, one of my best friends, Kenny Jackett, Russell Slade, Harry Redknapp, Mauricio Pochettino, Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte and then Roy Hodgson, Gareth Southgate and of course my two managers, Vinny [Kompany] and now Thomas [Tuchel]."

He continued: "All of you played a big role in my development, all at different stages in my life and without each and every one of you I would not be sat here today."

He finished: "For sure I learnt lots and found myself with the best people and with the best coaches it only improves you as a person and as a player so thank you very much."