Harry Kane Wins Ballon d’Or 2026 After England’s 25-Year Wait

Harry Kane wins the Ballon d’Or 2026, and the England captain finally has football’s top individual prize. The Bayern Munich striker took the Men’s award at the London Palladium on Monday, October 26. He finished ahead of Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal. Notably, he is the first Englishman to win since Michael Owen in 2001.

Source: UEFA.com, Yahoo Sports

Harry Kane Wins Ballon d’Or at the London Palladium

France Football and UEFA held the 70th Ballon d’Or ceremony in London for the first time. Organisers chose the city to honour Sir Stanley Matthews, who won the first award in 1956.

Source: UEFA.com

The win carries extra meaning because London is Kane’s birthplace and the city where his professional career began. In addition, Bayern chairman Herbert Hainer, chief executive Christoph Dreesen and teammate Michael Olise attended the gala.

Source: Goal.com

Kane spoke with strong emotion after he received the trophy and said he was almost speechless.

Source: CGTN

Harry Kane Ballon d’Or Top Ten Ranking

UEFA published the full top ten for the Men’s award:

1. Harry Kane (England, Bayern Munich)
2. Kylian Mbappé (France, Real Madrid)
3. Lamine Yamal (Spain, Barcelona)
4. Rodri (Spain, Manchester City/Barcelona)
5. Lionel Messi (Argentina, Inter Miami)
6. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Georgia, Paris Saint-Germain)
7. Ousmane Dembélé (France, Paris Saint-Germain)
8. Erling Haaland (Norway, Manchester City)
9. Michael Olise (France, Bayern Munich)
10. Fabián Ruiz (Spain, Paris Saint-Germain)

Source: UEFA.com

Yamal finished third this year, while he finished second to Dembélé last year.

Source: Yahoo Sports

Why Kane Won the Ballon d’Or: His 2025/26 Season

Kane scored 73 goals in 65 games for club and country. Moreover, he finished as the Bundesliga’s top scorer for the third season in a row and added 14 Champions League goals as Bayern reached the semi-finals.

Source: CGTN, UEFA.com

Meanwhile, Bayern won both the Bundesliga and the DFB-Pokal, the German Cup. Earlier that evening, Kane also collected the Gerd Müller Award for the top attacker. UEFA lists this prize as Striker of the Year.

Source: Forbes, Goal.com, UEFA.com

Kane’s Ballon d’Or Win in England’s Football History

Kane becomes the fifth English winner, after Stanley Matthews, Bobby Charlton, Kevin Keegan and Michael Owen. As a result, a 25-year wait for England has ended. Kane is 33 and captains the national team.

Source: Yahoo Sports (The Sporting News), UEFA.com

Other 2026 Ballon d’Or Winners

Spain had a very strong night, so many prizes went to Spanish players and coaches. UEFA lists these winners:

Men’s awards

• Ballon d’Or: Harry Kane (England, Bayern Munich)
• Kopa Trophy (Young Talent): Lamine Yamal (Spain, Barcelona)
• Yashin Trophy (Goalkeeper): Unai Simón (Spain, Athletic Club)
• Coach of the Year: Luis de la Fuente (Spain)
• Club of the Year: Paris Saint-Germain
• Striker of the Year: Harry Kane

Women’s awards

• Ballon d’Or Féminin: Alexia Putellas (Spain)
• Young Talent: Vicky López (Spain, Barcelona)
• Goalkeeper: Cata Coll (Spain, Barcelona)
• Coach of the Year: Pere Romeu (Spain, Barcelona)
• Club of the Year: Barcelona
• Striker of the Year: Charlyn Corral (Mexico, Pachuca)

Sócrates Award: Bukayo Saka

Source: UEFA.com

Putellas won the women’s award for the third time in her career. Likewise, Yamal won the Kopa Trophy for the third year in a row.

Source: Yahoo Sports, CGTN

Final Takeaway

In short, Harry Kane wins the Ballon d’Or after a record-level season in front of goal. His award ends England’s 25-year wait, and it came in his home city.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Who won the 2026 Men’s Ballon d’Or?
Harry Kane of England and Bayern Munich won the award.

Q2. When and where was the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony?
It took place on Monday, October 26, 2026, at the London Palladium. It was the 70th edition.

Q3. Who finished second and third in the Men’s voting?
Kylian Mbappé finished second, and Lamine Yamal finished third.

Q4. Who won the 2026 Women’s Ballon d’Or?
Alexia Putellas won it for the third time in her career.

Q5. When did an Englishman last win the Ballon d’Or?
Michael Owen won it in 2001, so Kane ended a 25-year gap.