Harry Kane Wins 2026 Ballon d’Or
Harry Kane has won the 2026 Ballon d’Or, ending England’s 25-year wait for the prestigious individual football award. Lionel Messi missed out on a record-extending ninth title, while Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal also failed to claim the crown.
The 33-year-old Bayern Munich striker received the award presented by French magazine France Football at a glittering ceremony at the London Palladium on Monday night.
Mr. Kane became the first English footballer to win the award since Michael Owen in 2001, ending a quarter-century wait for the country.
He is the fifth Englishman to win the Ballon d’Or. England legend Sir Stanley Matthews won the inaugural award in 1956, followed by Sir Bobby Charlton in 1966 and Kevin Keegan in 1978.
Mr. Mbappe finished second, followed by Yamal in third and Rodri in fourth. Messi, the 39-year-old Argentine legend who has recently announced his retirement from international football, finished fifth.
2026 Ballon d’Or Awards at a Glance
- Ballon d’Or: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich/England)
- Women’s Ballon d’Or: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona/London City Lionesses/Spain)
- Men’s Striker of the Year: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich/England)
- Women’s Striker of the Year: Charlyn Corral (CF Pachuca/Mexico)
- Men’s Club of the Year: Paris Saint-Germain (PSG)
- Women’s Club of the Year: Barcelona
- Socrates Award: Bukayo Saka (Arsenal/England)
- Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year: Unai Simón (Athletic Club/Spain)
- Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year: Cata Coll (Barcelona/Spain)
- Men’s Coach of the Year: Luis de la Fuente (Spain)
- Women’s Coach of the Year: Pere Romeu (Barcelona)
- Women’s Young Player of the Year: Vicky López (Midfielder, Barcelona/Spain)
- Men’s Young Player of the Year: Lamine Yamal (Forward, Barcelona/Spain)
