Adebayo Adenrele
England captain and Bayern Munich Striker, Harry Kane has finally broken the jinx in his football careeer, winning his first and 2026 Men’s Ballon d’Or and becoming the first Englishman to claim the award since Michael Owen in 2001.
The Bayern Munich striker beat French superstar Kylian Mbappé and Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal to the prize at the 70th Ballon d’Or ceremony, held at the London Palladium on Monday night.
Kane’s victory ends a 25-year wait for England to produce another winner of football’s most coveted individual award.
And he did it with numbers that speak volumes.
The 33-year-old reportedly scored 73 goals in 65 appearances for club and country during the 2025–26 campaign, including 61 goals in 51 matches for Bayern Munich, helping the German giants secure a domestic league and cup double.
He also netted six times at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where England finished third.
Kane’s remarkable season put him ahead of Mbappé, who finished second, and Yamal, who settled for third place.
The England captain becomes only the fifth Englishman to win the award, joining Stanley Matthews, Bobby Charlton, Kevin Keegan and Owen.
He succeeds Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembélé, who took the crown in 2025.
Speaking after receiving his first Ballon d’Or, an emotional Kane thanked those who voted for him, admitting that the competition was fierce.
Playing in London made the occasion even more special for the England international, who received a rousing reception from the home crowd.
Putellas equals Bonmatí’s record
While Kane celebrated a career-defining moment, Spain’s Alexia Putellas also had history to celebrate.
The 32-year-old midfielder won the Women’s Ballon d’Or for the third time, joining former Barcelona teammate Aitana Bonmatí as the only player to have claimed the women’s award three times.
Putellas previously won the honour in 2021 and 2022 before returning to the summit following another trophy-laden campaign.
As Barcelona Femení captain, she helped the Spanish giants complete a historic quadruple, winning Liga F, the Copa de la Reina, the Spanish Super Cup and the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
She was also named Champions League Player of the Season and played a key role in Spain’s Women’s Nations League triumph.
Putellas has since moved to England, joining London City Lionesses in July after an illustrious spell with Barcelona.
Her latest triumph further strengthens Barcelona’s influence on women’s football, with the club dominating several categories at this year’s ceremony.
Yamal, Saka and other big winners
Teenage sensation Lamine Yamal may have missed out on the main prize, but the Barcelona and Spain winger still walked away with another major honour.
The 19-year-old won the Men’s Young Talent of the Year award for the third consecutive time, underlining his growing status among football’s elite.
Barcelona’s Vicky López claimed the women’s equivalent for the second successive year.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente was named Men’s Coach of the Year, while Barcelona Femení manager Pere Romeu won the women’s coaching award.
Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Unai Simón took the Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year prize, with Barcelona’s Cata Coll winning the women’s category.
Kane added another trophy to his collection by winning the Men’s Striker of the Year award, while Mexican forward Charlyn Corral made history as the first Mexican to claim the Women’s Striker of the Year honour.
Paris Saint-Germain were named Men’s Club of the Year, while Barcelona Femení secured the women’s award.
Bukayo Saka’s Nigerian connection steals attention
For Nigerian football fans, one of the night’s most significant moments came when Arsenal and England winger Bukayo Saka received the prestigious Socrates Award for his humanitarian work.
Saka was recognised for his charitable contributions, including funding 120 medical operations for children in Kano, Nigeria, in 2022, through a partnership with the charity BigShoe.
The award celebrates footballers who use their influence and resources to make a difference beyond the pitch.
Saka’s recognition highlights the impact of football stars whose contributions extend beyond goals, trophies and personal accolades.
Read also: Ballon d’Or 2026: Harry Kane, Mbappé or Lamine Yamal? Inside the Battle for Football’s Most Coveted Individual Crown
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How are Ballon d’Or winners selected?
Despite the glamour and global attention surrounding the ceremony, the Ballon d’Or remains a voting-based award rather than a public popularity contest.
Selected journalists representing different countries vote for their top 10 players, with points allocated according to each player’s position on their ballot.
The player who accumulates the most points wins.
The voting system has frequently generated debate among supporters, particularly when individual statistics, team trophies, international performances and personal influence produce competing arguments over who deserves the crown.
This year, Kane’s extraordinary goal tally and Bayern Munich’s domestic double helped propel him to the top, while Putellas’ leadership and Barcelona’s quadruple underpinned her historic third triumph.
The 2026 ceremony also marked the first time the Ballon d’Or was held in London, adding another milestone to a night dominated by English celebration, Spanish excellence and recognition of football’s wider social impact.
From Kane ending England’s long wait to Putellas matching a historic record and Saka earning recognition for helping children in Nigeria, the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony delivered a night of records, silverware and stories beyond the pitch.
Full list of 2026 Ballon d’Or winners
Men’s Ballon d’Or: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich/England)
Women’s Ballon d’Or: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona Femení/London City Lionesses/Spain)
Men’s Club of the Year: Paris Saint-Germain
Women’s Club of the Year: Barcelona Femení
Men’s Young Talent of the Year: Lamine Yamal (Barcelona/Spain)
Women’s Young Talent of the Year: Vicky López (Barcelona Femení/Spain)
Men’s Coach of the Year: Luis de la Fuente (Spain)
Women’s Coach of the Year: Pere Romeu (Barcelona Femení)
Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year: Unai Simón (Athletic Bilbao/Spain)
Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year: Cata Coll (Barcelona Femení/Spain)
Men’s Striker of the Year: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich/England)
Women’s Striker of the Year: Charlyn Corral (CF Pachuca/Mexico)
Socrates Award: Bukayo Saka (Arsenal/England)
