Bollywood heartthrob Kartik Aaryan is celebrating a major win for his friend Harry Kane. Following the news that the Bayern Munich striker secured the 2026 Ballon d’Or—making him the first English player to claim the prestigious trophy since Michael Owen in 2001—the actor took to Instagram to share a special tribute. Kartik posted a delightful throwback clip from their meeting in Munich back in March 2024, captioning it, “Congratulations Champion @harrykane So well deserved @ballondorofficial.”
The viral video shows a lighthearted moment between the two stars where Kartik is seen teaching the football icon a catchy dialogue from his hit film, Chandu Champion. In the clip, the England captain gamely attempts to say the famous line, “Chandu nahi, champion hai main!” resulting in a fun exchange that had both of them laughing. It’s a classic crossover moment that fans absolutely loved when it first dropped, and it feels even more iconic now that Kane has officially earned his own Ballon d’Or title.
Chandu Champion, which tells the inspiring life story of India’s Paralympic gold medallist Murlikant Petkar, remains one of the most talked-about films of the actor’s career. Kartik’s dedication to the role, which involved a massive physical transformation and rigorous athletic training, earned him widespread critical acclaim. The performance was so well-received that it recently bagged him the Best Actor Award at the 72nd National Film Awards held in Kevadia, Gujarat, cementing his status as a versatile performer in the industry.