Harry Kane won the 2026 Ballon d'Or, a top prize for a football player. He received it at the London Palladium Theatre on Monday night. The Bayern Munich and England player scored 73 goals in 65 games last season. Kylian Mbappe came second, and Lamine Yamal came third.
Kane became the first English winner in 25 years. Michael Owen was the last English player to win, in 2001. No player at a German club had won since Matthias Sammer in 1996. Bayern's last winner was Karl-Heinz Rummenigge in 1981.
Kane thanked his family and the players in his teams. He said these players helped him score his goals. He also spoke about his difficult start in football. He hoped his story could help young people believe in their dreams.
Alexia Putellas won the women's prize at the same event. The Barcelona player finished ahead of Claudia Pina and England's Alessia Russo. This was her third win after her prizes in 2021 and 2022. She encouraged young players to play with love and to enjoy the game.
