Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane has won the 2026 men’s Ballon d’Or, becoming the first Englishman to claim football’s prestigious individual award since Michael Owen in 2001.
Kane received the honour at the 70th Ballon d’Or ceremony held at the London Palladium in London on Monday, October 26, following an outstanding season for Bayern Munich and England.
The England captain was recognised for his prolific goalscoring and contributions to Bayern’s success during the 2025–26 season. He scored 73 goals for club and country during the campaign, according to live coverage of the ceremony.
Kane faced competition from several leading players, including Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal, Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappé, Manchester City forward Erling Haaland and former winner Ousmane Dembélé.
The award marks a major milestone for Kane, who has established himself as one of Europe’s most consistent goalscorers. His achievement also ends England’s 25-year wait for another men’s Ballon d’Or winner after Owen received the award in 2001.
The ceremony, organised by France Football in partnership with UEFA, was held in London for the first time to mark the award’s 70th anniversary and honour its inaugural winner, English football legend Stanley Matthews.
Putellas wins third women’s Ballon d’Or
Barcelona and Spain midfielder Alexia Putellas won the women’s Ballon d’Or for the third time, adding to the awards she received in 2021 and 2022.
Putellas emerged from a 30-player shortlist that featured several leading figures in women’s football, including Barcelona teammates Ewa Pajor, Clàudia Pinatubo and Patri Guijarro, Arsenal forward Alessia Russo and Manchester City striker Khadija Shaw.
Her latest victory further strengthens her position among the most decorated players in the history of the women’s award.
Yamal retains young player award
Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal won the men’s Young Talent of the Year award for the third consecutive time.
Yamal was also among the leading contenders for the men’s Ballon d’Or after another impressive campaign for Barcelona. His continued recognition highlights his growing influence in European football despite his young age.
Vicky López won the women’s Young Talent of the Year award, retaining the honour.
Other Ballon d’Or winners
Several other players, coaches and clubs received awards during the ceremony.
Paris Saint-Germain won the men’s Club of the Year award, while Barcelona claimed the women’s equivalent.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente won the men’s Coach of the Year award, while Barcelona manager Pere Romeu received the women’s honour.
Athletic Club goalkeeper Unai Simón won the men’s Goalkeeper of the Year award, with Barcelona goalkeeper Cata Coll taking the women’s prize.
Kane also received the men’s Striker of the Year award, while Mexican forward Charlyn Corral won the women’s award after an impressive goalscoring campaign.
England forward Bukayo Saka received the Sócrates Award in recognition of his humanitarian work through his Big Shoe charity.
Men’s Ballon d’Or nominees
The 30-player shortlist featured established stars, former winners and emerging talents from some of the world’s leading clubs.
The nominees were:
1. Jude Bellingham — Real Madrid
2. Pau Cubarsí — Barcelona
3. Marc Cucurella — Chelsea/Real Madrid
4. Ousmane Dembélé — Paris Saint-Germain
5. Luis Díaz — Bayern Munich
6. Bruno Fernandes — Manchester United
7. Gabriel — Arsenal
8. Erling Haaland — Manchester City
9. Achraf Hakimi — Paris Saint-Germain
10. Harry Kane — Bayern Munich
11. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia — Paris Saint-Germain
12. Lamine Yamal — Barcelona
13. Sadio Mané — Al-Nassr
14. Marquinhos — Paris Saint-Germain
15. Lautaro Martínez — Inter Milan
16. Kylian Mbappé — Real Madrid
17. Nuno Mendes — Paris Saint-Germain
18. Lionel Messi — Inter Miami
19. João Neves — Paris Saint-Germain
20. Michael Olise — Bayern Munich
21. Willian Pacho — Paris Saint-Germain
22. Julián Quiñones — Al-Qadsiah
23. Declan Rice — Arsenal
24. Rodri — Manchester City/Barcelona
25. Fabián Ruiz — Paris Saint-Germain
26. William Saliba — Arsenal
27. Ferran Torres — Barcelona/Paris Saint-Germain
28. Dayot Upamecano — Bayern Munich
29. Vinícius Júnior — Real Madrid
30. Vitinha — Paris Saint-Germain
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The final standings placed Kane at the top, with the complete ranking of the leading contenders expected in the official results.
Women’s Ballon d’Or nominees
The women’s award featured 30 nominees representing clubs across Europe, North America and other football markets.
They were:
1. Selma Bacha — OL Lyonnes
2. Barbra Banda — Orlando Pride
3. Esmee Brugts — Barcelona
4. Klara Bühl — Bayern Munich
5. Mariona Caldentey — Arsenal
6. Scarlett Camberos — Club América
7. Kerstin Casparij — Manchester City
8. Temwa Chawinga — Kansas City Current
9. Cata Coll — Barcelona
10. Melchie Dumornay — OL Lyonnes
11. Caroline Graham Hansen — Barcelona
12. Alex Greenwood — Manchester City
13. Patri Guijarro — Barcelona
14. Pernille Harder — Bayern Munich
15. Yui Hasegawa — Manchester City
16. Rose Lavelle — Gotham FC
17. Mapi León — Barcelona/London City Lionesses
18. Lorena — Kansas City Current
19. Melvine Malard — Manchester United/Chelsea
20. Manaka Matsukubo — North Carolina Courage/Chelsea
21. Vivianne Miedema — Manchester City
22. Ewa Pajor — Barcelona
23. Clàudia Pinatubo — Barcelona
24. Alexia Putellas — Barcelona/London City Lionesses
25. Wendie Renard — OL Lyonnes
26. Alessia Russo — Arsenal
27. Khadija Shaw — Manchester City
28. Momoko Tanikawa — Bayern Munich
29. Caroline Weir — Real Madrid/OL Lyonnes
30. Tessa Wullaert — Inter/Como
Other award categories
The ceremony also recognised young players, goalkeepers, coaches, clubs and footballers involved in humanitarian initiatives.
The men’s and women’s young-player awards went to Lamine Yamal and Vicky López, respectively. Unai Simón and Cata Coll received the goalkeeper awards, while Luis de la Fuente and Pere Romeu were recognised in the coaching categories.
Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona won the men’s and women’s Club of the Year awards, respectively.
Kane and Charlyn Corral received the men’s and women’s Striker of the Year awards, while Saka’s Sócrates Award highlighted football’s role in supporting humanitarian and social causes.
The 2026 ceremony brought together some of the world’s most prominent footballers and marked seven decades since the Ballon d’Or was first awarded in 1956.
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