Fresh off making history as the first Englishman to win the Ballon d’Or in 25 years, Harry Kane currently takes centre stage at the National Football Museum. Over the summer, the Manchester museum launched ‘From Grassroots to Greatness’, a major exhibition exploring how the world’s best player — alongside England’s emerging stars, coaches, referees, and fans — began his footballing journey. Fans of the footballer can still see some of Harry Kane’s items on display this October half term.
The exhibition showcases the streets, parks, playgrounds, families, and communities that forged England’s Ballon d’Or winner, demonstrating how the game’s ultimate individual honour was built on humble local pitches.
A special feature created in partnership with England Football, ‘Origins’ traces the pathway from grassroots grounds to global supremacy. It spotlights the youth coaches, referees, and mentors who shaped Kane and England’s finest talents, celebrating the grassroots culture that made this historic golden triumph possible.
Harry Kane’s historic memorabilia display at National Football Museum
Visitors can trace Kane’s rise from northeast London park pitches to becoming the first Englishman crowned with the Ballon d’Or in 25 years (since Michael Owens’ win in 2001) through a rare collection of items on loan from his personal archive.
Featured objects include:
- His Ridgeway Rovers junior team shirt
- His England senior debut shirt
- The golden boot from the 2018 World Cup
Additional exhibitions & activities at the National Football Museum
- Head, Shoulders, Knees and Goals — an exhibition exploring the body, mind, movement, science, and physical demands behind elite football performance.
- Yard Ball — an interactive street-football experience supported by The Players Foundation, celebrating the raw playground roots of the English game.
You can visit the National Football Museum Monday-Sunday, 10am to 5pm. Last admission 4pm. You can book here.
📍 National Football Museum, Todd St, Manchester M4 3BG.
