Spain and Barcelona midfielder Alexia Putellas (centre) and England and Bayern Munich forward Harry Kane (right) pose after receiving their Ballon d’Or awards for the best female and male footballer during the 2026 Ballon d’Or France Football award ceremony at the Palladium Theatre in London on October 26, 2026. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)
Harry Kane has won the 2026 Ballon d’Or, becoming the first English player in 25 years to claim football’s biggest individual award.
The Bayern Munich striker beat Barcelona star Lamine Yamal and Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe to the prestigious prize.
The award ceremony was held in London, marking the first time the Ballon d’Or took place on English soil.
The event started nearly one hour late because of heavy traffic in the city.
Kane enjoyed a remarkable season, scoring 73 goals in 65 matches for Bayern Munich and England.
His goals helped Bayern win the German league and cup double.
He also scored six goals as England finished third at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Receiving the award, Kane thanked his Bayern Munich teammates for pushing him to improve every day.
He said moving to Bayern in 2023 helped him become a better player and reach another level in his career.
In the women’s category, Alexia Putellas won her third Ballon d’Or after inspiring Barcelona to another successful season before joining London City Lionesses.
The Spanish midfielder returned to the top after recovering from a serious knee injury that once threatened her career.
Yamal won the Young Player of the Year award for the third straight time but missed out on the main prize.
Mbappe also failed to win despite another impressive season with Real Madrid and France.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente was named Men’s Coach of the Year, while Barcelona’s Pere Romeu won the Women’s Coach of the Year award.
Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka received the Socrates Award for his humanitarian work, while Paris Saint-Germain were named Men’s Club of the Year despite missing out on the major individual honours.
