00:00First of all, thank you again to France Football, to the Ballon d'Or for putting on this amazing event.
00:07Being here in London as well has made it extra special and looked like a good omen for me tonight,
00:13so thank you very much.
00:16Thank you to everyone who voted for me.
00:19I can imagine it was really tough this year, some of the incredible players.
00:23I was up against some of my teammates, some world-class players in the room tonight.
00:28So thank you to everyone who voted for me.
00:32Congratulations to all the winners, all the nominees tonight.
00:35An impressive showing of what determination and hard work can really achieve, so well done.
00:44My Bayern Munich teammates, I've got a few here tonight, Michael, Upa, Lucho, Lenny.
00:50Without you guys and the rest of the team, it wouldn't be possible.
00:55The way you guys push me, the way we compete, me against Upa in training every week, it just makes
01:01me a better player.
01:02It makes me want to improve, so thank you very much.
01:07To Vinny, I know he's at home, well, I think he's still in the hospital, so wishing you very well.
01:12I hope this has gave you a bit of energy and...
01:23And all the staff, the way we train, the way you push us, it's a credit to yourself since I've
01:31been with you.
01:32I've improved as a player, no doubt, improved as a person, as a leader, and that's thanks to your leadership.
01:41To Jan, to Herbert, to all the Bayern Munich chairmans and presidents, I know some of you couldn't be here
01:49tonight,
01:49but it's an honour to play for Bayern Munich, to represent you is a real privilege,
01:56so I'm glad to be bringing this trophy back to Bayern Munich for sure.
02:08To all of my England teammates, Vikaio, Vikaio's here tonight, representing England.
02:15Again, the same.
02:16We had a special year.
02:19It wasn't the perfect year, but we had a lot of good moments.
02:22We built a great bond together, a lot of togetherness, the way we trained, the way we played,
02:26the togetherness in the hotel and the World Cup.
02:30Yeah, it was truly an honour to captain you, lead you.
02:34It makes me extremely proud, so this one is for all of us for sure.
02:45To Thomas Tupul and the staff at England, again, you know, the leadership, the way you drive us,
02:53the way you push standards, it's something to be admired, and, you know, it's an honour to represent you
02:59and represent the England badge the way you do.
03:02I know Debbie's here tonight as well, so Debbie, thank you very much for everything you do,
03:07and everyone at the FA, it's truly an honour to be your captain.
03:13I want to say thank you to Tottenham Hotspur as well.
03:16You know, I wouldn't be where I am today without Tottenham for sure.
03:29I was there from 11 years old.
03:32All the guidance, all the coaches, you allow me to live my dream.
03:37So for sure, without, you know, all those moments together, all the ups and downs along the way of that
03:44journey,
03:44it's led me to this moment here today, so I just want to say thank you to Tottenham Hotspur.
03:50Thank you to all the fans, Bayern Munich fans, England fans, Spurs fans, and all my fans around the world.
04:00I love you in this room tonight.
04:04Yeah, the support you give me in the stadiums, around the place, wherever it may be, on social media,
04:12I appreciate it all, you know, I remember being a fan not long ago, and what it means to, you
04:20know, play football,
04:21and it was a dream of mine, so, yeah, any time I can give back to you guys, it's a
04:26real honour and a privilege to do so.
04:34Just, I just want to give, I want to give a shout-out to some of my coaches who have
04:40helped me along the way.
04:41If I forgot anyone, I'm really sorry, but I'll start from early days.
04:46I have Bradley Allen, Chris Ramsey, John McDermott, who's here tonight, Alex Ingleful, Tim Sherwood,
04:53I have Brian Mason, who's here tonight, one of my best friends, Ryan, Kenny Jackett, Russell Slade,
05:00Harry Redknapp, Maurizio Pochettino, Jose Mourinho, Antonio Conte,
05:07and then Roy Hodgson, Gareth Southgate, and of course my two managers, Finney and Thomas now.
05:14All of you played a big role in my development, all at different stages in my life,
05:18and without each and every one of you, I wouldn't be standing here today.
05:22For sure, I learnt lots, and when you surround yourself with the best people, with the best coaches,
05:27it only improves you as a person and as a player, so thank you very much.
05:34More personal ones now, Dr. Alejandro Iloriaga Caraco, I hope I pronounced that right, you're here tonight.
05:42We've been working together nearly seven years.
05:45We started working after I tore my hamstring pretty much off the bone,
05:50and yeah, he was a bright spark in my life at that time.
05:54We started working together at the time, the commitment, the work behind the scenes that no one else sees on
06:00the treatment table,
06:02giving up time away from family, you giving up time away from family,
06:06the work we do together, the friendship we formed as well, it's a true honour, so thank you for all
06:13your work.
06:15To Kelly, Gary and Tom, my wife's parents and brother, thank you very much.
06:22I know how much support you give me.
06:25We all live these emotions together.
06:28You've made me feel part of the family from when I stepped into the house at 18 years old,
06:33so yeah, I know how much help you help off the pitch.
06:38It allows me to perform and do my best on the pitch, so thank you very much.
06:45My brother Charlie is here tonight.
06:49Didn't seem like long ago we was kicking a ball around the garden, over the park,
06:56watching football, talking football, just football mad.
07:00I know you tell me you gave me a lot of your footballing abilities, so thank you very much.
07:04I appreciate that.
07:05But yeah, to have that love and support from an older brother means the world to me.
07:10You travel, you watch, you give up time with your family to support me, so thank you.
07:16Mum and Dad sitting there as well.
07:20What a moment.
07:21All those years, the sacrifice you gave me, the support you gave me, the times,
07:28taking me to training, coming to watch me play,
07:31all around England, all around Germany, no matter where it was,
07:35even to this day you're there.
07:39There was never any pressure from you to become a footballer.
07:43It was always about working hard, it was always about improving,
07:46it was always about learning,
07:47and all those traits that you have given me
07:50have allowed me to be successful and be here tonight.
07:54So, yeah, I love you, thank you very much.
08:08A couple more, guys, sorry.
08:10Just my kids at home watching.
08:12It's definitely past your bedtime, especially if we're a little later than we hope.
08:16So, to Ivy, Vivian, Louis, and Henry,
08:20you're the reason I do this.
08:22I hope you watching me,
08:24I don't think you'll fully maybe appreciate bringing this trophy home.
08:26I'll bring a few others home, but this one is a special one,
08:28so I can't wait to see you and celebrate with you.
08:32I want to set a good example,
08:35being a father, but also being a professional
08:38and what it means to work hard,
08:40what it means to believe in yourself.
08:42And, yeah, I love you very much.
08:45APPLAUSE
08:51To my wife, Kate,
08:53my best friend.
08:56We've been through ups and downs, for sure.
08:59You're my biggest supporter.
09:01I actually felt like you wanted this more than me, myself.
09:05The anxious wait for us to find out.
09:08I know it's been horrible for you,
09:09so here it is, we've done it.
09:13Yeah, you always want the best from me.
09:16You sacrifice yourself to help me achieve my dreams,
09:19and I know they're your dreams as well,
09:21so it wouldn't be possible without you.
09:24This is a trophy that we celebrate, not me.
09:27It's me and you.
09:28It's all the family, all our close-knit team.
09:32So I just want to say thank you.
09:33I love you.
09:34Can't wait to enjoy this and celebrate tonight, for sure.
09:37Love you.
09:37Thank you.
09:38APPLAUSE
