England striker Harry Kane won the prestigious 2026 Ballon d'Or on Monday also ending a 25-year wait for an English recipient since Michael Owen took the award in 2001.
The 33-year-old Bayern Munich forward claimed football’s highest individual honor following an extraordinary 2025–26 season. Kane scored 61 goals in 51 matches for Bayern also leading the German club to a domestic league and cup double. On the international stage he netted six goals to propel England to the World Cup semi-finals and ending the campaign with 73 total goals for club and country.
"I am almost speechless. Being here in London makes it extra special" Kane said during his acceptance speech. "Anything is possible if you work hard when nobody is watching. I had to experience the downs to find my way to the top."
Kane edged out France's Kylian Mbappe who finished second, followed by Spain's Lamine Yamal, Rodri and Lionel Messi.
Spain midfielder Alexia Putellas captured the Ballon d'Or Feminin for the third time after securing a domestic treble with Barcelona before joining London City Lionesses in July.
Full List of Other Category Winners: Men's Striker of the Year (Gerd Müller Trophy): Harry Kane (Bayern Munich / England)
Women's Striker of the Year: Charlyn Corral (Pachuca / Mexico)
Kopa Trophy (Best Young Male Player): Lamine Yamal (Barcelona / Spain)
Women's Young Player of the Year: Vicky Lopez (Barcelona / Spain)
Men's Goalkeeper (Yachine Trophy): Unai Simón (Athletic Bilbao / Spain)
Women's Goalkeeper: Cata Coll (Barcelona / Spain)
Men's Coach of the Year: Luis de la Fuente (Spain)
Women's Coach of the Year: Pere Romeu (Barcelona)
Men's Club of the Year: Paris Saint-Germain
Women's Club of the Year: FC Barcelona
Socrates Award (Humanitarian Work): Bukayo Saka (Arsenal / England)
Recent Ballon d'Or Winners (2000–2026) 2026: Harry Kane (England)
2025: Ousmane Dembele (France)
2024: Rodri (Spain)
2023: Lionel Messi (Argentina)
2022: Karim Benzema (France)
2021: Lionel Messi (Argentina)
2020: Cancelled (COVID-19)
2019: Lionel Messi (Argentina)
2018: Luka Modric (Croatia)
2017: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
2016: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
2015–2010: Merged as FIFA Ballon d'Or (Messi: 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015; Ronaldo: 2013, 2014)
2009: Lionel Messi (Argentina)
2008: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
2007: Kaká (Brazil)
2006: Fabio Cannavaro (Italy)
2005: Ronaldinho (Brazil)
2004: Andriy Shevchenko (Ukraine)
2003: Pavel Nedved (Czech Republic)
2002: Ronaldo (Brazil)
2001: Michael Owen (England)
2000: Luís Figo (Portugal)
