N’Golo Kante, the humble star close to winning it all

Winning the Champions League moves N'Golo Kante closer to completing a total haul of football's major trophies, one that already includes Premier League, World Cup and Europa League titles.

N’Golo Kante approached the winner’s podium and sized up the gleaming European Cup that was almost as big as him. The diminutive midfielder had seen jubilant teammates before him give the trophy a kiss as they walked by. Kante, a touch nervous maybe, gave it a little pat and shuffled on. Humble to the end, Kante moved a step closer to winning everything there is to win in football by adding the Champions League with Chelsea on Saturday. A Premier League winner in 2016 and ’17, with Leicester then Chelsea. A World Cup winner in 2018 with France. A Europa League winner in 2019. Now, a European champion. Win the European Championship with France across the next six weeks and Kante will have done the lot. All with that beaming smile on his face. Asked if Kante is the best player in the world, Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta was in no doubt: “It’s straightforward, yes.” At the moment, it’s hard to argue. Kante was voted man of the match by UEFA’s technical observers in both legs of Chelsea’s semifinal against Real Madrid, and again in the 1-0 win over Manchester City in the final. He made 10 ball recoveries, more than any other player. He won all three tackles he attempted _ including a key one to snuff out Kevin De Bruyne as he approached Chelsea’s box early in the second half. Then there were his surging runs forward, leading the counterattack