English striker Harry Kane was named the winner of the Ballon d’Or on Monday, 26 October 2026. The 33-year-old Bayern München forward finished ahead of Frenchman Kylian Mbappé and Spanish talent Lamine Yamal.
Among the women, the prestigious football award went to Spanish midfielder Alexia Putellas for the third time. The award ceremony took place in London, where the seventieth edition of the Ballon d’Or was held.
Kane is the first Englishman since Michael Owen in 2001 to win the Ballon d’Or. The captain of the England national team was rewarded for his performances with Bayern München and England during the 2025-2026 season. He scored a total of 73 goals in 65 matches for club and country.
The striker played an important role in Bayern München winning the German league title. In addition, he finished as the Bundesliga’s top scorer for the third consecutive season. Kane was also on target in the UEFA Champions League, scoring fourteen goals. Bayern München reached the semi-finals of the European club competition.
Kane was also named forward of the year. He is the fifth English footballer to have won the Ballon d’Or, after Stanley Matthews, Bobby Charlton, Kevin Keegan and Michael Owen.
Mbappé second, Yamal third
Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé finished second in the vote, while FC Barcelona talent Lamine Yamal claimed third place. Spanish midfielder Rodri came fourth and Argentine star player Lionel Messi finished fifth.
Yamal also received an award during the ceremony. The young Barcelona forward was named best young footballer for the third consecutive year.
Putellas wins third Ballon d’Or
Among the women, the most important individual award went to Alexia Putellas. The 32-year-old Spanish midfielder previously won the award in 2021 and 2022, adding a third victory this year.
Putellas was rewarded for her performances during the 2025-2026 season with FC Barcelona, with whom she won, among other things, the UEFA Women’s Champions League. During the European tournament, she scored seven times and provided seven assists.
The Spaniard, who moved to London City Lionesses ahead of the 2026-2027 season, finished ahead of Ewa Pajor and Khadija Shaw in the vote.
Spanish dominance in other awards
In addition to the main awards, several other distinctions were presented. Spain national coach Luis de la Fuente was chosen as the best coach in the men’s category, while Barcelona coach Pere Romeu received the award in the women’s category.
Among the goalkeepers, the award went to Unai Simón of Athletic Club. Barcelona goalkeeper Cata Coll was named best women’s goalkeeper.
Paris Saint-Germain was named men’s club of the year. FC Barcelona received the same award in the women’s category.
England international Bukayo Saka received the Sócrates Award for his social and humanitarian commitment.
Ballon d’Or in London for the first time
The ceremony took place at the London Palladium Theatre. It was the first time the award ceremony had been organised in London. The occasion marked the Ballon d’Or’s seventieth anniversary.
The prestigious award was first presented in 1956 to Englishman Stanley Matthews. Since 2024, the award has been organised by the French football magazine France Football in cooperation with European football body UEFA.
With Kane’s victory, the Ballon d’Or has an English winner again after 25 years.
