Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane has won the 2026 men’s Ballon d’Or, becoming the first Englishman to receive football’s top individual award since Michael Owen in 2001.
The 33-year-old England captain was named the winner at the ceremony in London on Monday, 26 October. Kylian Mbappé finished second, followed by Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal.
Kane scored 73 goals for club and country across all competitions during the 2025–26 campaign, according to UEFA. His season included 14 goals in the UEFA Champions League, where Bayern reached the semi-finals. He also finished as the Bundesliga’s leading scorer for the third consecutive season.
His goals helped Bayern retain the German league title as part of a domestic treble. Kane also won the men’s Striker of the Year award at the ceremony.
Kane is the fifth English player to win the Ballon d’Or. Previous English winners were Stanley Matthews in 1956, Bobby Charlton in 1966, Kevin Keegan in 1978 and 1979, and Owen in 2001.
Other awards announced in London included the men’s Young Talent of the Year prize for Yamal, the goalkeeper award for Spain’s Unai Simón and the men’s Coach of the Year award for Spain manager Luis de la Fuente. Paris Saint-Germain was named men’s Club of the Year.
Spain’s Alexia Putellas won the women’s Ballon d’Or, while Vicky López received the women’s Young Talent of the Year award. The 2026 ceremony marked the award’s 70th anniversary and was held in London for the first time.
