Harry Kane claimed the 2026 men’s Ballon d’Or at London’s Palladium theater, capping a season in which he scored 73 goals in 65 appearances for Bayern Munich and England. The journalists’ jury placed him ahead of Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe and Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal, who finished second and third respectively.
The victory made Kane England’s first recipient since Michael Owen in 2001. It also ended the Bundesliga’s wait for a winner stretching back to Matthias Sammer in 1996, while Bayern’s previous recipient was Karl-Heinz Rummenigge in 1981. Bayern president Herbert Hainer celebrated Kane’s achievement, placing him among the club’s former winners, including Franz Beckenbauer and Gerd Müller.
The ceremony took place just ten kilometers from Brisbane Road, where Kane scored his first professional goal in England’s third tier. Reflecting on a career that included several loan spells rather than an immediate rise to prominence, he said he hoped his experience would inspire young players.
Kane thanked his family and emphasized his teammates’ contribution to an individual honor. He credited fellow players with creating opportunities and drawing defenders away, allowing him to perform. England manager Thomas Tuchel also congratulated him on the recognition.
At the same ceremony, Alexia Putellas secured her third women’s Ballon d’Or, adding to her victories in 2021 and 2022. She finished ahead of Spain’s Claudia Pina and England’s Alessia Russo. Putellas, who joined Barcelona in 2012, reflected warmly on her 14 seasons with the club and urged young players to approach the game with love and passion.
