Harry Kane was named the winner of the 2026 Ballon d’Or on Monday, becoming the first English player in 25 years to receive football’s most prestigious individual honor. The Bayern Munich striker earned the accolade after a record-breaking 2025-26 season in which he scored 73 goals across all competitions for club and country, cementing his status as one of the sport’s leading goal scorers.
Kane, 33, was recognized for his exceptional goal tally both in domestic and international play. He netted 61 goals in 51 appearances for Bayern Munich as the club secured a Bundesliga and German Cup double, including a hat trick in the cup final against Stuttgart. At the World Cup held in the summer, Kane scored six goals, surpassing Gary Lineker to become England’s all-time leading scorer in the tournament, and helped lead England to a third-place finish—their best World Cup result in six decades. This achievement marked a significant milestone, as no English player had claimed the Ballon d’Or since Michael Owen in 2001.
The award ceremony took place at the London Palladium, marking the 70th anniversary of the Ballon d’Or, a milestone that coincided with Kane’s recognition. He spoke emotionally during his acceptance, crediting his journey, coaches, teammates, and family, including his wife Kate, for their support throughout his career. Kane emphasized the importance of perseverance, encouraging young players to believe in their potential, even if their path is not straightforward.
Kane’s competition for the award was fierce, with nominees including France’s Kylian Mbappé, who finished second after breaking World Cup scoring records, and Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, who took third place and won the men’s young talent award for the third consecutive year. Other notable contenders included Spain’s Rodri and Lionel Messi, the eight-time former Ballon d’Or winner, who placed lower in the rankings.
On the women’s side, Spain midfielder Alexia Putellas claimed her third Ballon d’Or Féminin, having led Barcelona to multiple trophies during the 2025-26 season, including the Women’s Champions League and the Spanish Super Cup. Putellas also played a key role in Spain’s victory in the Women’s Nations League last December. Recently, she transferred from Barcelona to London City Lionesses in the Women’s Super League.
Additional awards presented during the ceremony included the men’s goalkeeper prize to Spain’s Unai Simón and the women’s equivalent to Barcelona’s Cata Coll. Paris Saint-Germain was named men’s club of the year, while Barcelona earned the women’s club of the year honor. Notably, Arsenal and England winger Bukayo Saka received the Socrates Award for humanitarian efforts connected to football.
The event featured an extensive program with multiple categories and celebrated a range of achievements across men’s and women’s football, emphasizing both athletic excellence and community impact.