England captain and Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane has won the 2026 Ballon d’Or, becoming the first English footballer in 25 years to claim the prestigious individual award.
Kane was crowned the world’s best men’s footballer at the ceremony held at the London Palladium on Monday, October 26, 2026, beating France’s Kylian Mbappé and Spain’s Lamine Yamal to the honour.
According to UEFA and Reuters, the 33-year-old striker earned the award following an outstanding 2025/26 campaign, during which he scored 73 goals for club and country across all competitions.
Kane scored 61 goals in 51 appearances for Bayern Munich, helping the German club secure a domestic league and cup double. He also finished as the Bundesliga’s leading scorer for the third consecutive season and netted 14 goals in the UEFA Champions League as Bayern reached the semi-finals.
The England international also made a significant contribution at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, scoring six goals as his country advanced to the semi-finals before losing to Argentina.
Kane’s triumph marks the end of England’s 25-year wait for the men’s Ballon d’Or. Former Liverpool and England striker Michael Owen was the last Englishman to win the award, claiming it in 2001.
In the final rankings, Kane finished ahead of Mbappé in second place, while Yamal came third. Spain’s Rodri and Argentina’s Lionel Messi completed the top five.
Kane also received the Men’s Striker of the Year award at the ceremony, capping a remarkable year for the Bayern Munich forward.
Meanwhile, Spain’s Alexia Putellas won the Women’s Ballon d’Or for the third time, further cementing her status among the leading figures in women’s football.
The Ballon d’Or, established by France Football in 1956, recognises the outstanding individual performances of footballers during the assessment period.
Share this content:
About The Author
