Harry Kane Wins the 2026 Ballon d’Or: First Englishman to Win in 25 Years

It was announced at the ceremony in London on the evening of Monday 26 October 2026 that Bayern Munich and England striker Harry Kane has won the men’s Ballon d’Or, the first of his career. He is the first Englishman to win the award since Michael Owen in 2001.

What happened?

The 70th Ballon d’Or ceremony took place in London and started about 45 minutes late because of traffic around the venue. Kane finished ahead of Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappé. On receiving the trophy he said he was “almost speechless” and that his path had not been straightforward, with a lot of loan moves, according to Sky Sports.

The season numbers behind the award

• 73 goals for Bayern and England in 2025-26, according to Sky Sports and the Bundesliga website.
• 36 goals in the Bundesliga, as Bayern won their 35th league title.
• He scored in every round of the German Cup, including a hat-trick in the final against Stuttgart, and Bayern completed the domestic double under Vincent Kompany.
• 14 goals in 13 Champions League games, as Bayern reached the semi-finals.
• Six goals at the 2026 World Cup, where England finished third.

Why this win is historic

• He is the fifth Englishman to win the award, after Stanley Matthews, Bobby Charlton, Kevin Keegan and Michael Owen.
• He is the first Bundesliga player to win it since Matthias Sammer in 1996 and the first Bayern player in 45 years.
• He is 33 years old.

The other awards

• Women’s Ballon d’Or: Alexia Putellas, for the third time.
• Best coach: Luis de la Fuente. Best young player: Lamine Yamal. Best goalkeeper: Unai Simón.
• Best striker: Harry Kane. Best club: Paris Saint-Germain. Socrates Award: Bukayo Saka.

Sources: ESPN, Sky Sports, Forbes, Bundesliga.com and Foot Mercato.