Harry Kane Wins 2026 Ballon d’Or as Alexia Putellas Claims Women’s Award
Including his international performances, Kane recorded 73 goals for club and country, further strengthening his case for the coveted award.
England captain and Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane wins the 2026 Ballon d’Or, ending a 25-year wait for an Englishman to claim football’s most prestigious individual honour. Photo: Fabrizio Romano.
By Robert Mutasi
England captain and Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane has won the 2026 Ballon d’Or, ending a 25-year wait for an Englishman to claim football’s most prestigious individual honour.
Kane was crowned the world’s best male footballer at a ceremony held in London on Monday, October 26, beating strong competition from France forward Kylian Mbappé and Spain’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal.
The 33-year-old’s victory follows an exceptional 2025/26 campaign in which he scored 61 goals in 51 appearances for Bayern Munich across all competitions, helping the German giants secure a domestic league and cup double.
Including his international performances, Kane recorded 73 goals for club and country, further strengthening his case for the coveted award.
His triumph makes him the first Englishman to win the men’s Ballon d’Or since Michael Owen claimed the prize in 2001.
Speaking after receiving the award, Kane expressed his gratitude to those who had supported his career, describing the achievement as a special moment, particularly because the ceremony was held in London.
Meanwhile, Spain midfielder Alexia Putellas won the women’s Ballon d’Or for the third time in her career.
She earned the recognition after helping Barcelona enjoy a successful 2025/26 season before moving to Women’s Super League side London City Lionesses in July.
Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal won the men’s Young Talent of the Year award, while fellow Spaniard Vicky López received the women’s equivalent.
Other winners included Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón, who took the men’s goalkeeper award, and Barcelona’s Cata Coll, who won the women’s goalkeeper prize.
Spain national team coach Luis de la Fuente was named men’s coach of the year, while Barcelona women’s coach Pere Romeu won the corresponding women’s award.
Paris Saint-Germain claimed the men’s Club of the Year award, with Barcelona recognised as the leading women’s club.
Arsenal and England winger Bukayo Saka received the Sócrates Award for his humanitarian work.
Kane’s victory marks a major milestone in his career, rewarding years of consistency, perseverance and prolific goalscoring at the highest level of the game.
The 2026 ceremony was held in London, marking the first time the British capital hosted the Ballon d’Or awards.
About Author
