Yet has there ever been a more deserving victor? Kane’s massive tally of goals for Bayern Munich and England this year speaks for itself. Yet he’s so much more than just a great goalscorer. He’s the complete package as team player, creator, figurehead and, for England, captain. All England football fans, as well as those of Bayern Munich, his current club side, and Spurs, his former side, can feel proud of him and celebrate.

But so, I suggest, can everyone else in England, maybe even Britain as a whole. Because is there a better male role model right now? Is there anyone who better represents not only success, but the importance of team spirit, patriotism and family? And what about fair play? Because the Ballon d’Or recognises decency and integrity on the football pitch every bit as much as goals and wins. Kane embodies it all.

And let’s remember that, while Kane has had more than his fair share of success, all richly deserved if you ask me, he’s also tasted bitter defeat. The rest of the world noticed this summer the way he and the England team he captained won and lost with dignity. It’s no exaggeration to say that they treated victory and defeat, as Rudyard Kipling advised, as “two impostors just the same".

As for our country, well, there aren’t many really excellent role models in these days of division, hostility and cynicism, all played out on social media. But in that barren landscape, Harry Kane is certainly one.

In fact, for any England football fans of my vintage, there have been precious few players over the last five decades who have combined excellence with patriotism, modesty and honour. Trevor Brooking (a real blast from the past) springs to mind. But maybe we need to go as far back as the two Bobbys – Moore and Charlton – a full 60 years ago for anyone in Kane’s league.