Virat Kohli Celebrates Harry Kane's Historic Ballon d'Or Win

Virat Kohli has expressed his heartfelt congratulations to Harry Kane following the latter's historic win of the 2026 Ballon d'Or. The former Team India captain praised Kane's dedication and hard work, highlighting their mutual respect as sporting icons. Kohli's message has resonated with fans on social media, celebrating the bond between two legends from different sports. As both athletes prepare for their upcoming matches, their friendship continues to inspire many.

By Narendra Chaudhary Oct 27, 2026, 14:59 IST

Kohli's Heartfelt Congratulations to Kane

Virat Kohli, the former captain of Team India, has shared a touching message to congratulate Harry Kane, the striker for Bayern Munich and the England national team, on his remarkable achievement of winning the 2026 Ballon d'Or in London.

Harry Kane, who captained England and secured a bronze medal at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, was awarded the prestigious accolade on Monday night. The 33-year-old triumphed over competitors Kylian Mbappe and Barcelona's Lamine Yamal to claim this esteemed honor in football.

During the last season, Kane had an extraordinary performance, netting an impressive 73 goals in 65 matches for both Bayern Munich and the England team. With this victory, he has become the first English player to win the Ballon d'Or in 25 years, following Michael Owen's win in 2001.

Virat Kohli's Message Goes Viral

As Kane celebrated his Ballon d'Or win, Kohli joined countless fans and sports figures in honoring the England captain's significant achievement. The two athletes first met in May 2019 at Lord's Cricket Ground during the ODI World Cup preparations, where they engaged in a friendly cricket match and expressed admiration for each other's sports.

Kohli took to his X account to share a heartfelt note recognizing Kane's dedication, integrity, and unwavering pursuit of excellence throughout his career. He wrote, "Harry, my friend, you deserve every bit of this award for your resilience, hard work, and honesty with which you’ve carried yourself through all these years playing football at the top. Really happy for you. God bless you and your family. They must all be very proud of you, as you would be of your own journey. My best wishes always. Congratulations @HKane."

A Long-Standing Friendship

Kohli and Kane's first public interaction occurred in March 2016 during the T20 World Cup. After Kohli's outstanding 82-run performance against Australia in Mohali, Kane praised him on X for his impressive display under pressure. Kohli reciprocated this admiration during the 2018 FIFA World Cup, wishing Kane and the England team success in their tournament.

The mutual respect between these two sporting icons has been evident over the years, with both athletes frequently exchanging compliments and good wishes.

Fans Celebrate the Bond

Kohli's congratulatory message to Kane has ignited a flurry of reactions on social media, particularly on X, where fans and cricket lovers have lauded the mutual respect shared between the two sports legends. Many users highlighted the significance of their interaction, describing it as a meeting of greatness.

Fans celebrated the connection between the two icons from different sports, with some recalling their history of admiration for one another. Comments included praises for Kohli and Kane, emphasizing their status as legends in their respective fields.

Upcoming Matches

As Kohli prepares for an upcoming five-match ODI series against New Zealand, Kane is set to return to the pitch for Bayern Munich in the DFB-Pokal second-round match against FC Magdeburg, followed by a UEFA Champions League encounter with Atletico Madrid.