Kane Ends England’s 25-Year Wait for Ballon d’Or as Putellas Wins Women’s Prize

England captain Harry Kane has been crowned the 2026 Ballon d’Or winner, becoming the first Englishman in 25 years to claim football’s most prestigious individual honour, while Spain’s Alexia Putellas won the women’s award and Bukayo Saka received recognition for his humanitarian work.

Kane was announced as the winner at the 70th edition of the Ballon d’Or ceremony held at the London Palladium Theatre on Monday, October 26, 2026, as the prestigious awards ceremony moved outside Paris for the first time in its history.

The decision to stage the ceremony in London marked the 70th anniversary of the award, which was first presented in 1956 to English footballer Sir Stanley Matthews.

The Bayern Munich striker finished ahead of France captain Kylian Mbappé and Spanish teenage sensation Lamine Yamal to secure the men’s prize after an outstanding campaign for club and country.

Kane scored 73 goals in 65 appearances during the 2025/26 season, including 61 for Bayern Munich and 12 for England. His goals helped Bayern retain the Bundesliga title and secure a domestic treble, while he also finished as the German top flight’s leading scorer for the third consecutive season.

The England captain additionally helped his country finish third at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, giving the Three Lions their best World Cup result since winning the tournament in 1966.

His achievement makes him only the fifth Englishman to win the men’s Ballon d’Or, joining Stanley Matthews, Sir Bobby Charlton, Kevin Keegan and Michael Owen.

Kane’s triumph also ends a 25-year wait for an English winner, with Owen having been the last player from England to receive the honour in 2001.

The striker’s victory was accompanied by another individual accolade as he collected the Gerd Müller Trophy for the men’s Striker of the Year, recognising his remarkable goalscoring exploits.

Speaking after receiving the award, Kane reflected on the challenges he encountered early in his career, admitting that his journey to the summit of world football was not always straightforward.

“Not many people would have thought it and maybe even myself wouldn’t have thought I’d be this far,” Kane said.

He explained that he had experienced numerous ups and downs, particularly during the early stages of his career, when he was not considered an obvious future superstar.

“I had to bide my time and work hard, a lot of times it was me against my own mind and I had to come through it. I had to show self-belief, determination,” he said.

Kane added that winning football’s most coveted individual prize would not change his desire to keep improving.

“No matter what I achieve, how many goals I score, winning the Ballon d’Or, it’s always about getting better. This is a showcase of that,” he said.

The England captain also paid tribute to the teammates, coaches and family members who supported his development, acknowledging that his success was the product of collective effort rather than individual brilliance alone.

He thanked Bayern Munich and England teammates, as well as former coaches and Tottenham Hotspur, the club where he developed into one of the world’s leading strikers.

Kane also expressed gratitude to his wife, Katie, for standing by him throughout his career.

“We’ve done it, you always want the best for me and you sacrificed yourself to help me achieve my dreams and your dreams as well. It would not be possible without you,” he said.

He further praised Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany and England head coach Thomas Tuchel for their contributions to his progress.

Tuchel congratulated Kane on the achievement, describing him as a remarkable performer whose contributions had long deserved recognition at the highest level.

“I ran out of superlatives to describe your performances a long time ago, but I’m delighted to see that you have now been formally recognised by the football world,” Tuchel said.

He added that Kane’s achievement was particularly significant because he had become the first Englishman to win the award in a quarter of a century.

Prince William also congratulated the England captain, describing him as a brilliant captain and remarkable player who had given football supporters around the world unforgettable moments.

The victory was celebrated as a major moment for English football, with the England national team acknowledging the achievement and Wembley Stadium illuminated to recognise Kane’s success.

The Men’s Top 10 Rankings Were:

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

Kane’s victory represents a significant milestone in a career defined by consistent goalscoring, leadership and determination. His rise to the top also offers a reminder that individual success in football often follows years of development, setbacks and persistence.

Putellas Wins Women’s Ballon D’Or

Spain and Barcelona midfielder Alexia Putellas claimed the women’s Ballon d’Or, adding another major individual honour to her distinguished career.

Putellas finished ahead of Barcelona teammate Ewa Pajor, who placed second, while Manchester City and Jamaica forward Khadija Shaw came third.

The result placed Putellas back at the summit of the women’s game, underlining her continued influence and standing among the leading players in women’s football.

Melchie Dumornay finished fourth, followed by Patri Guijarro in fifth place. Caroline Graham Hansen was sixth, while Pernille Harder finished seventh.

Barcelona forward Claudia Pina placed eighth, England international Alessia Russo finished ninth, and Zambia forward Temwa Chawinga completed the top 10.

The Women Top 10 Ranking Were:

1. Alexia Putellas — Spain, Barcelona/London City Lionesses

2. Ewa Pajor — Barcelona

3. Khadija Shaw — Manchester City

4. Melchie Dumornay

5. Patri Guijarro

6. Caroline Graham Hansen

7. Pernille Harder

8. Claudia Pina

9. Alessia Russo — Arsenal and England

10. Temwa Chawinga

Putellas’ triumph was another landmark moment for women’s football, which has continued to attract greater attention and recognition through the performances of elite players and the growth of the women’s game internationally.

Saka wins Sócrates Award for humanitarian work

England and Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka received the Sócrates Award, which recognises footballers involved in humanitarian activities and social initiatives.

The award recognises the contribution of football personalities who use their influence to support communities and improve the lives of others.

Saka expressed gratitude to France Football for providing a platform to highlight causes that matter to him, emphasising the importance of helping children experience the joy of playing football.

“I’d like to thank France Football for the opportunity to be here to keep raising awareness of causes that are very close to my heart,” he said.

He added that football could provide children with happiness and opportunities, noting that helping another child experience the excitement of having a ball at their feet was important to him.

“All of us here, we know how it feels to be a child and having a ball at your feet and how much joy you have. Every time I have the opportunity to help another kid have that feeling again, that’s important to me,” Saka said.

“We’re all just really blessed.”

His recognition added a humanitarian dimension to the evening, demonstrating that the Ballon d’Or ceremony celebrates contributions beyond goals, trophies and individual statistics.

Yamal and López recognised as young talents

Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal won the men’s Young Talent of the Year award, while his compatriot Vicky López claimed the women’s equivalent.

Yamal’s recognition further strengthened his position among the most highly rated young footballers in the world. The Spanish winger also finished third in the main men’s Ballon d’Or rankings, placing him among the leading contenders despite his age.

López’s award similarly highlighted Barcelona’s influence on the development of emerging talent in women’s football.

The awards recognise outstanding young players whose performances and potential have made them stand out among their peers.

Goalkeepers, coaches and clubs also honoured

Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón won the men’s Goalkeeper of the Year award, while Barcelona’s Cata Coll took the women’s honour.

Spain national team coach Luis de la Fuente was named Men’s Coach of the Year, while Barcelona women’s coach Pere Romeu won the corresponding women’s award.

Paris Saint-Germain claimed the Men’s Club of the Year prize, while Barcelona was named Women’s Club of the Year.

Kane’s Gerd Müller Trophy recognised his prolific scoring season, while Mexican forward Charlyn Corral won the Women’s Striker of the Year award.

The full list of the evening’s principal winners was:

– Men’s Ballon d’Or: Harry Kane

– Women’s Ballon d’Or: Alexia Putellas

– Men’s Young Talent of the Year: Lamine Yamal

– Women’s Young Talent of the Year: Vicky López

– Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year: Unai Simón

– Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year: Cata Coll

– Men’s Coach of the Year: Luis de la Fuente

– Women’s Coach of the Year: Pere Romeu

– Men’s Club of the Year: Paris Saint-Germain

– Women’s Club of the Year: Barcelona

– Men’s Striker of the Year: Harry Kane

– Women’s Striker of the Year: Charlyn Corral

– Sócrates Award: Bukayo Saka

The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony brought together individual excellence, emerging talent, club achievement and social responsibility, with Kane’s historic triumph providing the evening’s headline moment.

For England, Kane’s victory ended a 25-year wait for a male Ballon d’Or winner from the country. For women’s football, Putellas’ success reaffirmed her status among the sport’s elite, while Saka’s humanitarian recognition highlighted the growing importance of footballers’ contributions outside the pitch.

Together, the results reflected the breadth of modern football, where success is measured not only by goals and trophies but also by leadership, the development of young players and efforts to make a positive difference in society.