Harry Kane wins 2026 Ballon d'Or in London, first Englishman to take the award since Michael Owen

Harry Kane has won the 2026 Ballon d'Or, becoming the first Englishman to collect football's most famous individual prize since Michael Owen in 2001. The Bayern Munich and England striker was named the winner at a ceremony at the London Palladium on Monday evening, which ended in the early hours of Tuesday Malaysia time. Kylian Mbappe finished second and Lamine Yamal third in what host Kate Scott described as one of the closest races in years.

A record-breaking season rewarded

Kane, 33, was recognised for a remarkable 2025-26 campaign in which he scored 73 goals for club and country. He set new scoring marks in Germany with Bayern and then led England to the semi-finals of the World Cup in North America, where they went on to finish third. The tournament itself was won by Spain.

The award is organised by France Football and decided by a panel of 100 journalists from around the world. Kane received the most votes, edging out two forwards who also had standout years. Mbappe became the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history during the summer, taking his tally to 22 goals with 10 at the 2026 finals, while Yamal was part of Spain's world champion squad.

Accepting the trophy, Kane offered a simple message: "Thank you to everyone who voted for me."

A historic night in London

This was the first time the Ballon d'Or gala had been staged outside France. The organisers chose London to mark 70 years since Stanley Matthews, the Blackpool and England winger, won the very first Ballon d'Or in 1956. Kane is the fifth English player to win the award, and his victory ends a 25-year wait for the country.

The men's top 10 was:

1. Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)
2. Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid)
3. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
4. Rodri
5. Lionel Messi (Inter Miami)
6. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Paris Saint-Germain)
7. Ousmane Dembele (Paris Saint-Germain)
8. Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
9. Michael Olise (Bayern Munich)
10. Fabian Ruiz (Paris Saint-Germain)

Jude Bellingham was 11th, just outside the top group, with Pau Cubarsi 12th and Declan Rice 15th.

Putellas claims a third Ballon d'Or Feminin

In the women's category, Barcelona's Alexia Putellas won the award for the third time, ending the three-year run of her club-mate Aitana Bonmati. Between them, the two Spanish midfielders have now won each of the last six women's prizes. Poland striker Ewa Pajor was runner-up and Jamaica's Khadija Shaw finished third.

Malawi forward Temwa Chawinga placed 10th, making her the first African woman to finish in the top 10 of the women's ranking.

Spain dominate the other awards

Spain's World Cup triumph was reflected across the supporting categories. Yamal won the men's Kopa Trophy for the best young player, while Barcelona's Vicky Lopez took the women's equivalent. Athletic Club goalkeeper Unai Simon won the men's Yashin Trophy and Barcelona's Cata Coll collected the women's version.

Luis de la Fuente, who guided Spain to the world title, was named men's Coach of the Year. Pere Romeu of Barcelona won the women's Coach of the Year award.

For Kane, the trophy caps a long climb. He has been one of the most prolific forwards in Europe for a decade, but had never previously finished near the top of the voting. His move to Bayern and his record-breaking output in Germany, combined with England's deep World Cup run, changed that.

Key takeaways

• Harry Kane won the 2026 Ballon d'Or ahead of Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal.
• He is the first English winner since Michael Owen in 2001 and the fifth Englishman overall.
• Kane scored 73 goals for Bayern Munich and England in 2025-26.
• Alexia Putellas won her third Ballon d'Or Feminin, ahead of Ewa Pajor and Khadija Shaw.
• The ceremony was held outside France for the first time, at the London Palladium.

FAQ

Who finished second and third in the 2026 men's Ballon d'Or? Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe was second and Barcelona's Lamine Yamal was third.

Why was the 2026 ceremony held in London? It marked 70 years since England's Stanley Matthews won the first Ballon d'Or in 1956, and it was the first time the event was staged outside France.

Who won the young player and goalkeeper awards? Lamine Yamal and Vicky Lopez won the Kopa Trophies, while Unai Simon and Cata Coll won the Yashin Trophies.

Sources: ESPN, ABC News, Yahoo Sports, Forbes, Vanguard