Harry Kane in his England kitImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Kane won the Ballon d'Or on Monday night

ByPhil McNultyChief football writer

Harry Kane has taken the scenic route to the Ballon d'Or - a road littered with doubts and diversions, but one that eventually led to the ultimate destination: being crowned as the world's best player.

The 33-year-old's glory at the London Palladium on Monday is fitting reward for an exemplary career that has seen records fall at his feet for England, Tottenham Hotspur and Bayern Munich.