Harry Kane has won the 2026 Ballon d’Or, becoming the first English player to claim football’s most prestigious individual award in 25 years.
The Bayern Munich and England striker was crowned the world’s best player at a ceremony in London on Monday night, finishing ahead of Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé and Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal.
Kane, 33, is the fifth Englishman to win the Ballon d’Or, following Stanley Matthews (1956), Bobby Charlton (1966), Kevin Keegan (1978 and 1979) and Michael Owen (2001).
The award recognises an extraordinary season in which Kane scored 61 goals in 51 club matches for Bayern Munich, breaking the club’s single-season scoring record. Including international matches for England, he finished with 73 goals in 65 appearances.
Kane helped Bayern secure a domestic double and played a key role as England reached the semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup.
An emotional Kane said after receiving the trophy: “I am almost speechless. Being here in London has made it extra special. Thank you to everyone who voted for me.”
Alexia Putellas of Barcelona won the women’s Ballon d’Or for the third time.
AbdulBasit Saba is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
