Harry Kane is reported to have won the Ballon d’Or after a prolific season, becoming the first Englishman since Michael Owen in 2001 to receive football’s prestigious individual award.
Harry Kane has won the 2026 men’s Ballon d’Or, becoming the first Englishman in 25 years to receive football’s most prestigious individual award. The Bayern Munich striker was named the winner at a ceremony in London on Monday, Oct. 26, ending England’s long wait for the honour since Michael Owen claimed it in 2001.
The 33-year-old England captain finished ahead of France international Kylian Mbappe and Spain’s Lamine Yamal in the voting. His victory capped a remarkable 2025-26 season in which he scored 73 goals in 65 appearances for club and country, underlining his standing among the world’s leading forwards.
Kane’s goals helped Bayern Munich secure domestic silverware, while his performances for England added to an outstanding individual campaign. He also scored six goals at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where England finished third, according to reports on his award-winning season.
The award marks a significant milestone in English football. Kane joins a select group of English Ballon d’Or winners that includes Sir Stanley Matthews, Sir Bobby Charlton, Kevin Keegan and Owen. Owen was the most recent English recipient before Kane’s triumph in 2026.
The ceremony was held at the London Palladium Theatre, marking the first time the Ballon d’Or awards were staged in England. The event also celebrated the award’s 70th anniversary. Organised by France Football in partnership with UEFA, the ceremony recognises outstanding individual performances across men’s and women’s football.
Kane’s achievement comes after years of prolific goalscoring and major disappointments in pursuit of team honours. Before moving to Bayern Munich in 2023, he spent much of his senior career at Tottenham Hotspur, where he became the club’s leading goalscorer. His move to Germany gave him a new opportunity to compete for major trophies while continuing to lead England.
Spain’s Alexia Putellas won the women’s Ballon d’Or for the third time, adding another major individual honour to her career. The ceremony also recognised emerging talent, goalkeepers, coaches and clubs from across the men’s and women’s games.
For Kane, the award represents recognition of a season defined by exceptional scoring numbers and success at both club and international level. His victory ends a 25-year wait for an English winner and places him among the country’s most celebrated footballers.
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