Harry Kane received a special award from the Croatian team, presented by his former Tottenham teammate, Luka Modric, on the occasion of becoming England’s most-capped player ever.

Thursday night was a very special occasion for Kane, not only because he got to present his Ballon d’Or in front of the fans at Wembley. The game marked the striker’s 126th cap for England, overtaking Peter Shilton to become the most-capped player for his country.

Modric, who is Croatia’s most-capped player, presented the England captain with a special award to mark the occasion, with the ball holding great significance in the footballing ties between the two countries.

Croatia’s official account wrote about the gift: “Congratulations on winning the Ballon d’Or and becoming England’s all-time record appearance holder with 126 caps – two remarkable achievements that reflect your extraordinary career and lasting legacy.

“In 1880, English industrialists brought the first football to Croatia, introducing the beautiful game to the people of Županja and leaving them a gift that would become part of Croatian football history. Today, we are proud to return that gesture with this replica of the historic ball – a symbol of the lasting bond between English and Croatian football. With heartfelt congratulations and best wishes, Croatia National Team & Croatian Football Federation.”

Luka Modric says former Tottenham teammate Harry Kane ‘deserves everything’ he has achieved

The England captain got on the scoresheet from the penalty spot as the Three Lions emerged 2-1 winners, but his most special moment of the night arguably came just before kick-off, when he was presented with the award.

The fact that the award was presented to Kane by Modric carried special significance, as not only is the midfielder himself a Ballon d’Or winner, but his path also crossed with the striker’s in North London.

The Croat was one of the stars in the Tottenham first team when Kane was coming through the age group ranks, and the six-time Champions League winner admitted that his former Spurs teammate’s hard work and humility stood out from the start.

Modric told Hayters TV: “It’s amazing to see where he started and where he has arrived in his career, It’s impressive and I’m really happy for him. He deserves it. He was always very humble, working hard, and deserved everything that is happening to him and I’m really happy for him.

“It was very emotional because I remember when I got most-capped player for my country, it’s something special, and with the Ballon d’Or, it must be very emotional for him. What I saw from him, his work ethic was amazing. What he got after, to be the best in the world, it’s amazing”

Kane and Modric did play together for Spurs

Many would assume that while Modric may have trained with Kane on a few occasions, the pair likely did not cross paths on the pitch. After all, the midfielder left Tottenham in 2012 to join Real Madrid, while Kane only got opportunities in the Premier League two or three years later.

That came in a Europa League fixture against PAOK, with Harry Redknapp deciding to rotate his side for the game. Interestingly, Modric put away a penalty that Kane won in the first 45, before Bale was introduced to the game later on. In true Spurs fashion, Tottenham still managed to lose the game.