Spurs fans, former players and everyone tied to the club have spent the last 48 hours showing how much Harry Kane still means to Tottenham and how big a mark he left on the place. Football rivalries usually make it hard to cheer for ex-players, but his Ballon d’Or win has been an exception. The 33-year-old’s professionalism, humility and work ethic have earned him such respect that even the most disappointed Spurs supporters struggle not to feel proud. Several former teammates have spoken out, and Dele Alli admitted he was moved to tears when the Bayern Munich striker collected the award.
Hugo Lloris, who arrived at Tottenham in 2012, watched Kane go from an overlooked academy product with loan spells at several lower-league clubs to a first-team regular and eventually one of the best players in the world. Having shared a dressing room with the England captain for years, the former Spurs goalkeeper knows the dedication behind that rise. He told L’Équipe he was delighted to see Kane rewarded, calling the award the high point of a journey built on resilience and ruthless finishing.
Lloris admitted Kane may lack the natural flair of some of the game’s most gifted players, but said he is far more than an efficient finisher. In Lloris’s view, Kane has added to his game year after year and can now pass short and long, tackle and track back, while still being the best player in the box with either foot and in the air.
He also pointed to how Kane has changed since his early days, when he leaned heavily on runs behind defenders. Now he drops deep, creates chances for others and controls the attack, without losing his status as one of the deadliest finishers around. Lloris recalled being struck by Kane’s strength when they met at the 2022 World Cup, where he held his own against a tough opponent in Dayot Upamecano, and said experience has made him even more physically imposing.
According to Lloris, this success comes from discipline and a modest character rather than any hunger for the spotlight. He was also impressed by Kane’s acceptance speech and the way he thanked those who backed him along the way, which he felt showed why Kane still commands so much respect. He added that it was especially fitting for the award to be won in London, and recalled how Kane regularly moved into deeper positions at Spurs to set up Son Heung-min and others. That blend of scoring and smart passing made him far more than a conventional centre-forward.
Lloris doesn’t expect Kane to consider his journey finished. He believes the striker is already focused on winning the Champions League and landing a major international trophy with England, ideally at a home Euros in 18 months. The 39-year-old said the pair’s years at Tottenham, though trophyless, helped shape them both, and that Kane still has many great years ahead.
Lloris’s words show how much admiration Kane still enjoys among those who played with him. The Ballon d’Or recognises his individual brilliance and also reminds Spurs fans of the remarkable player who once led their attack. Though he has moved on to Bayern Munich, the respect he earned in North London remains firmly intact.
