Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane has won the 2026 Ballon d’Or, becoming the first Englishman to claim football’s most prestigious individual award since Michael Owen in 2001.
The England captain received the honour at the 70th Ballon d’Or ceremony at the London Palladium on Monday, October 26, 2026, beating Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal and Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé to the prize.
Kane’s victory follows an outstanding 2025/26 campaign with Bayern Munich, during which he scored 61 goals in all competitions.
His goalscoring record and performances for club and country strengthened his claim to the individual honour.
The award marks a significant milestone for the 33-year-old striker, who has established himself as one of Europe’s most prolific forwards.
Kane becomes the fourth Englishman to win the men’s Ballon d’Or, following Stanley Matthews, Bobby Charlton and Kevin Keegan, who won the award twice.
His victory also ends England’s 25-year wait for the men’s prize, with former Liverpool forward Michael Owen the country’s last winner in 2001.
2026 Ballon d’Or TOP 10.
1. Harry Kane 🏴
2. Kylian Mbappé 🇫🇷
3. Lamine Yamal 🇪🇸
4. Rodri Hernández 🇪🇸
5. Lionel Messi 🇦🇷
6. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia 🇬🇪
7. Ousmane Dembélé 🇫🇷
8. Erling Haaland 🇳🇴
9. Michael Olise 🇫🇷
10. Fabián Ruiz 🇪🇸
OTHER AWARDS WON AT THE 2026 BALLON D’OR CEREMONY
Several other footballers, coaches and clubs received recognition at the ceremony in London.
Major award winners
Men’s Ballon d’Or: Harry Kane
Women’s Ballon d’Or: Alexia Putellas
Men’s Young Talent of the Year: Lamine Yamal
Women’s Young Talent of the Year: Vicky López
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 Club of the Year :Paris Saint-Germain
Women’s Club of the Year: Barcelona
Men’s Striker of the Year :Harry Kane
Women’s Striker of the Year: Charlyn Corral
Sócrates Award: Bukayo Saka
Women’s Ballon d’Or:
Barcelona and Spain star Alexia Putellas won the Women’s Ballon d’Or, securing the award for the third time in her career.
Her victory adds to her previous triumphs in 2021 and 2022.
Young players:
Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal won the Men’s Young Talent of the Year award, while his Barcelona teammate Vicky López claimed the women’s equivalent.
Yamal’s recognition adds another individual honour to his growing collection.
Goalkeepers:
Spain international Unai Simón was named Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year, while Barcelona’s Cata Coll won the women’s award.
Coaches:
Spain manager Luis de la Fuente won Men’s Coach of the Year, while Barcelona women’s manager Pere Romeu received the women’s award.
Club awards:
Paris Saint-Germain won Men’s Club of the Year, while Barcelona claimed the women’s award.
Striker awards:
Kane won Men’s Striker of the Year in addition to his Ballon d’Or triumph.
Mexico international Charlyn Corral received the women’s equivalent.
Sócrates Award:
Arsenal and England forward Bukayo Saka received the Sócrates Award, which recognises humanitarian work and social initiatives associated with football.