Harry Kane described Monday’s Ballon d’Or triumph as beyond his ‘wildest dreams’ – and then promised to try to win it again next year.

The Bayern Munich striker received the award at a ceremony at the London Palladium after a talismanic year for club and country. Harry Kane scored 73 goals in all competitions for club and country last term as he led Bayern to the Bundesliga, DFB Pokal and only losing to eventual winners PSG in the Champions League.

Meanwhile, he almost single-handedly dragged England to the semi-finals of the World Cup, scoring two goals late on as England avoided humiliation by DR Congo, and also scoring in England’s memorable win over Mexico.

Kane becomes the first English player in 25 years to win the award, with Michael Owen being the last Englishman to pick up the award in 2001. He also becomes only the fifth Englishman to win the award, joining Owen as well as Sir Stanley Matthews, Sir Bobby Charlton and Kevin Keegan.

In an Irish context, Harry Kane, Keegan and George Best are the only players of Irish descent to win the award as well.

‘My heart was beating fast, and I was just hoping he would say my name. I mean, what a legend, Ronaldo was one of my idols growing up, so for him to be the one to present me the award, it’s a dream come true,’ Kane said.

‘Honestly, just so many amazing feelings, and to share these moments with my friends and with my family who are here. Yeah, I would say it’s a dream come true, but it’s beyond my wildest dreams. I spoke about my doctor, Alejandro (Elorriaga Claraco). We work so much together.

‘We spend so much time alone, in the room, on a treatment table, with needles, all those sacrifices, saunas, ice baths, time that I would love to spend with my kids, with my family, with my wife, but it’s all part of the dedication.

‘Yeah, that’s got me to winning this amazing trophy. Even now, winning this, already, I am thinking about, “OK, let’s see if we can be even better and let’s see if I can win it again?” And that will always be my mindset until the day I choose to retire.’

Harry Kane planned to enjoy his Ballon d’Or victory with family and friends but had no plans for a ‘messy’ night with a flight back to Munich booked for Tuesday morning before Bayern’s afternoon training ahead of Wednesday’s DFB-Pokal tie with Magdeburg.

The former Spurs forward also batted off a question about an eventual return to England to chase Alan Shearer’s Premier League scoring record, stating ‘not right now, I’m loving life at Bayern,’ but did lay out his major goals for the years ahead. ‘Being here in London, it was a good omen for me, and it’s been too long. We have so many incredible English players. Me growing up, watching the greats, for none of those guys to be able to win this award is obviously a shame,” Kane said.

‘So, to put us back on the map and be here with this trophy, I am extremely proud. I still have a lot to achieve in the game, from the Champions League at club level to winning a major trophy with England, that’s a number one priority for sure, so there are so many great things that I want to achieve.’