LONDON, October 27, 2026 — England captain Harry Kane has won the men’s Ballon d’Or after a remarkable season in which he scored 73 goals for club and country, becoming the first Englishman to receive football’s most prestigious individual award since Michael Owen in 2001.
The 33 year old striker was recognised for his outstanding performances for Bayern Munich and England, helping the German club secure the Bundesliga and German Cup titles while also delivering an impressive campaign at the World Cup.
Kane’s goalscoring record made him Europe’s leading scorer last season. He also scored six goals at the World Cup, surpassing Gary Lineker to become England’s all time leading scorer in the tournament’s history.
Speaking after receiving the award at a ceremony in London, Kane said his success was the result of hard work, determination and overcoming difficulties throughout his career.
“My journey wasn’t straightforward. I wasn’t the kid who went straight to the top. I had to experience the downs,” Kane said, encouraging young footballers to remain committed to their ambitions.
He added that resilience and self belief were essential to achieving success, even when progress was difficult.
Kane also expressed gratitude to his teammates, coaches, parents, children and wife, Kate, whom he described as his best friend and biggest supporter throughout his career.
Kane’s remarkable season
At Bayern Munich, Kane played a key role in the club’s domestic double, with his hat trick against Stuttgart in the German Cup final among the standout moments of the campaign. Bayern also reached the semifinals of the UEFA Champions League.
On the international stage, Kane captained England to a third-place finish at the World Cup. England defeated France in the third place match after losing to Argentina in the semifinals.
Kane’s victory was particularly significant for English football, ending a 25 year wait for an English winner of the men’s Ballon d’Or. The last was Michael Owen, who received the honour in 2001.
England head coach Thomas Tuchel praised Kane’s performances and leadership, saying the national team was fortunate to have him as captain.
Kane acknowledged the importance of winning the award for his country, expressing pride in representing England and helping restore English football to the spotlight.
The ceremony attracted large crowds in London, with supporters gathering outside the London Palladium to welcome the arriving football stars. Fans continued chanting Kane’s name as he left the venue after the event.
Despite the celebrations, Kane said he would keep them limited because Bayern Munich had a cup match scheduled for Wednesday and he needed to return to Munich for training.
Putellas wins third women’s Ballon d’Or
Meanwhile, Spain international Alexia Putellas claimed her third women’s Ballon d’Or, matching the record for the most wins in the women’s category.
The 32 year old midfielder was recognised following a successful season with Barcelona, during which the club collected several trophies, including the UEFA Women’s Champions League. She also helped Spain win the Women’s Nations League in December.
Putellas, who joined London City Lionesses during the offseason, ended the three year reign of her Spain teammate Aitana Bonmatí, who won the award in 2023, 2024 and 2025 but was absent from this year’s shortlist after suffering a broken leg in December.
Putellas previously won the award in 2021 and 2022 before an anterior cruciate ligament injury interrupted her progress and allowed Bonmatí to emerge as one of the leading players in women’s football.
Reflecting on her achievement, Putellas encouraged young players to pursue their dreams with passion and confidence, even when circumstances force them to begin again.
She also expressed gratitude for her 14 seasons at Barcelona, describing her recent experience with the club as a perfect story.
The women’s Ballon d’Or was first introduced in 2018, with Norway’s Ada Hegerberg becoming its inaugural winner.
A historic night for football
The 2026 ceremony was held in London in recognition of the first Ballon d’Or winner, England’s Stanley Matthews, who received the inaugural award in 1956.
Kane’s victory and Putellas’ third triumph highlighted two outstanding careers built on perseverance, consistency and excellence at the highest level of the game.
For Kane, the award represents the culmination of years of overcoming setbacks and establishing himself among the world’s leading strikers. For Putellas, it marks another milestone in a career that has helped shape modern women’s football.
