Harry Kane has officially been awarded the prestigious 2026 Ballon d’Or, marking him as the first English player in 25 years to win football’s ultimate individual honor. The highly anticipated announcement took place on October 26 at the historic London Palladium Theater in London, UK, recognizing Kane as the Best Footballer of the Year.
The last English recipient of the award was Michael Owen in 2001, making Kane’s victory a significant milestone for English football. The 33-year-old Bayern Munich and England national team striker emerged victorious over a strong field of contenders.
To secure the coveted trophy, Kane surpassed Kylian Mbappé, the formidable Real Madrid striker and France international, who finished in second place. Lamine Yamal, the talented Barcelona right-winger and Spanish national team player, rounded out the top three.
Kane’s exceptional performance throughout the previous season was a key factor in his triumph. He netted an astonishing 61 goals in just 51 appearances for Bayern Munich, setting a new club record for most goals scored by a player in a single season. His prolific form extended to the international stage, where he scored 73 goals in 65 appearances for the England national team. Additionally, Kane showcased his playmaking abilities by assisting his teammates eight times.
This momentous achievement makes Harry Kane only the fifth English player in history to win the Ballon d’Or. He joins an elite group of legends including Sir Stanley Matthews (1956), Sir Bobby Charlton (1966), Kevin Keegan (1978 and 1979), and Michael Owen (2001).
Other notable winners at the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony included:
* **Women’s Ballon d’Or 2026:** Alexia Putellas (Barcelona / Spain)
* **Best Young Male Player (Kopa Trophy):** Lamine Yamal (Barcelona / Spain)
* **Best Young Female Athlete:** Vicky López (Barcelona / Spain)
* **Best Male Goalkeeper (Yashin Trophy):** Unai Simón (Athletic Bilbao / Spain)
* **Best Female Goalkeeper:** Cata Coll (Barcelona / Spain)
* **Best Male Striker (Gerd Müller Trophy):** Harry Kane (Bayern / England)
* **Best Female Striker:** Charlyn Corral (CF Pachuca / Mexico)
* **Best Male Coach:** Luis de la Fuente (Spain)
* **Best Women’s Team Coach:** Pere Romeu (Barcelona)
* **Best Men’s Football Club of the Year:** PSG (France)
* **Best Men’s Football Club of the Year:** Barcelona (Spain)
* **Award for Humanitarian and Social Work (Socrates Award):** Bukayo Saka (Arsenal / England)
