Harry Kane has won the 2026 Ballon d’Or, becoming the first Englishman in 25 years to claim football’s most prestigious individual honor. The Bayern Munich striker beat Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal after a remarkable season in which he scored 73 goals for club and country, earning his place at the top of the 2026 Ballon d’Or winners list.
The ceremony took place at the London Palladium on Monday, October 26, bringing together some of the biggest names in world soccer to celebrate individual and team achievements. Alongside Kane’s historic triumph, Alexia Putellas won the women’s Ballon d’Or for the third time, while Barcelona and Spain players collected several other honors across the evening.
The night was not without confusion. The official Ballon d’Or website mistakenly published separate announcements naming Kane, Mbappé, and Yamal as the men’s winner before the ceremony. A delayed start added to the uncertainty, but the evening eventually concluded with Kane receiving the award to enthusiastic cheers from the audience.
Harry Kane Ends England’s 25-Year Ballon d’Or Wait
HARRY KANE IS THE 2026 BALLON D’OR! #ballondor https://t.co/k3CUlwLF1E
— Ballon d’Or (@ballondor) October 26, 2026
Kane’s victory marks a significant moment for English soccer. The 33-year-old becomes only the fifth English player to win the Ballon d’Or, joining Stanley Matthews, Bobby Charlton, Kevin Keegan, and Michael Owen. Owen was the last Englishman to receive the award in 2001, following his outstanding campaign with Liverpool.
The Bayern Munich forward’s 73-goal haul proved decisive in a season that showcased his finishing ability, consistency, and leadership. His performances in the Bundesliga and Champions League helped establish him as one of the leading players in world soccer, while his contribution to England’s run to the World Cup semifinals strengthened his candidacy.
“Being in London, it is extra special, it felt like a good omen,” Kane said during his acceptance speech. He also thanked the journalists who voted for him, acknowledging how difficult the decision must have been.
Kane paid tribute to his wife, Kate, describing her as his biggest supporter throughout the highs and lows of his career. He also thanked England, Bayern Munich, and former club Tottenham Hotspur, recognizing the people and teams that helped him reach the pinnacle of the sport.
His journey to the award was far from straightforward. After several loan spells early in his career, Kane developed into one of Europe’s most prolific strikers before moving from Tottenham to Bayern Munich in 2023. His latest achievement represents the culmination of years of persistence and a career built around consistently finding the back of the net.
Alexia Putellas Wins Her Third Women’s Ballon d’Or
ALEXIA PUTELLAS. BALLON D’OR WINNER. 🏆 https://t.co/o1bFwgV60q
— London City Lionesses (@LC_Lionesses) October 26, 2026
Putellas also enjoyed a landmark evening, claiming the women’s Ballon d’Or for the third time after previous victories in 2021 and 2022. The Spain international becomes the second woman to win the award three times, following her former Barcelona teammate Aitana Bonmatí, who won it in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
Putellas was instrumental in Barcelona’s successful campaign, contributing eight goals and seven assists in 11 Champions League appearances as the club secured its fourth European title. Barcelona also completed a domestic treble alongside its continental success, winning Liga F, the Copa de la Reina, and the Spanish Supercopa.
Her individual recognition carries additional significance following the anterior cruciate ligament injury that disrupted her career in 2022. After working her way back to her best form, Putellas moved to London City Lionesses in the summer of 2026, becoming the first active Women’s Super League player to win the award.
Poland international player Ewa Pajor and Manchester City forward Khadija Shaw finished second and third, respectively. Pajor scored 31 goals across all competitions, while Shaw recorded 27 goals in 32 appearances during Manchester City’s successful domestic campaign.
2026 Ballon d’Or Winners and Full Award List
Bukayo Saka… PREMIO SÓCRATES 🙌
Porque el fútbol a veces es lo de menos 👏 ¡Eres ejemplo!
#ballondor https://t.co/ssSV3eHTFE
— DAZN Fútbol (@DAZNFutbol) October 26, 2026
Beyond the headline prizes, the ceremony recognized outstanding performances across men’s and women’s soccer. The 2026 Ballon d’Or winners included established superstars, emerging talents, successful coaches, and goalkeepers who delivered exceptional seasons.
Here is the complete list of winners across the categories provided for this year’s ceremony:
- Men’s Ballon d’Or: Harry Kane
- Women’s Ballon d’Or: Alexia Putellas
- Men’s Striker of the Year: Harry Kane
- Women’s Striker of the Year: Charlyn Corral
- Men’s Club of the Year: Paris Saint-Germain
- Women’s Club of the Year: Barcelona
- Socrates Award: Bukayo Saka
- Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year: Unai Simón
- Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year: Cata Coll
- Men’s Coach of the Year: Luis de la Fuente
- Women’s Coach of the Year: Pere Romeu
- Men’s Young Talent of the Year: Lamine Yamal
- Women’s Young Talent of the Year: Vicky López
Yamal collected the men’s young talent award after another impressive campaign with Barcelona and Spain. He even suggested that teammate Pau Cubarsí deserved the recognition, highlighting the defender’s contribution to their shared success.
Meanwhile, Barcelona’s dominance extended to the women’s categories, with goalkeeper Cata Coll, coach Pere Romeu, and young talent Vicky López all receiving honors. Mexico’s Charlyn Corral also earned recognition as the women’s striker of the year.
Harry Kane Leads the Men’s Ballon d’Or Top 10
The 2026 Ballon d’Or top 10 🏆
#ballondor https://t.co/8Lh7W21d9c
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) October 26, 2026
The men’s rankings reflected a competitive season featuring some of the sport’s most recognizable names. Kane finished ahead of Mbappé and Yamal, while several established winners and Champions League standouts also secured places in the top 10.
The final ranking was:
- Harry Kane — Bayern Munich
- Kylian Mbappé — Real Madrid
- Lamine Yamal — Barcelona
- Rodri — Barcelona, formerly Manchester City
- Lionel Messi — Inter Miami
- Khvicha Kvaratskhelia — Paris Saint-Germain
- Ousmane Dembélé — Paris Saint-Germain
- Erling Haaland — Manchester City
- Michael Olise — Bayern Munich
- Fabián Ruiz — Paris Saint-Germain
Kane follows Dembélé, the 2025 winner, and Rodri, who claimed the award in 2024. His victory also adds a new chapter to an era long dominated by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who have won eight and five Ballon d’Or awards, respectively.
A Career-Defining Night for Kane
The 2026 ceremony will be remembered for Kane’s breakthrough and Putellas’ return to the summit of women’s soccer. For England, Kane’s achievement ends a quarter-century wait for another men’s Ballon d’Or winner. For the striker himself, it recognizes the goals, resilience, and leadership that have defined his career.
The 2026 Ballon d’Or winners also reflect the breadth of talent across the modern game, from Yamal’s emergence to Putellas’ historic third triumph. But the evening belonged to Kane, whose journey from early-career loan spells to the highest individual honor in soccer offers a powerful reminder of what sustained ambition can achieve.
Featured image: Ballon D’or
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