Harry Kane won the 2026 men’s Ballon d’Or, a top prize for a soccer player. He received the award at the London Palladium theater. Kane scored 73 goals in 65 games for Bayern Munich and England last season. Kylian Mbappe finished second, and Lamine Yamal finished third.
Kane is the first English player to win since Michael Owen in 2001. He is also the first player from Germany’s top soccer league to win since Matthias Sammer in 1996. Bayern Munich last had a winner in 1981. That player was Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.
Kane thanked his family and the players on his teams. He said other players helped him score his goals. Early in his career, he played for several clubs for short periods before returning to his own club. He hoped his story could help young people believe in their dreams.
At the same event, Alexia Putellas won the women’s Ballon d’Or. It was her third win after her awards in 2021 and 2022. Claudia Pina and Alessia Russo finished behind her. Putellas encouraged young players to love and enjoy the game.
