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England captain Harry Kane has won the 2026 men’s Ballon d’Or, earning football’s most prestigious individual honour after an outstanding season with Bayern Munich and the national team.
Kane was crowned the world’s best player at the 70th edition of the awards ceremony held at the London Palladium on Monday, becoming the fifth Englishman to win the prize.
The Bayern Munich striker scored 73 goals in 65 appearances for club and country during the assessment period, underlining his exceptional form in front of goal. He also helped Bayern win the Bundesliga and scored six goals for England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where the Three Lions finished third.
Kane joins English legends Sir Stanley Matthews, Sir Bobby Charlton, Kevin Keegan and Michael Owen among the country’s Ballon d’Or winners.
Spain and Barcelona star Alexia Putellas won the women’s Ballon d’Or, claiming the award for the third time after another impressive campaign. She joins former Barcelona team-mate Aitana Bonmatí as a three-time winner.
Putellas was instrumental in Barcelona’s trophy-laden season, contributing 26 goals and 15 assists in 53 matches during the assessment period. The club won the UEFA Women’s Champions League, Liga F, Copa de la Reina, Supercopa de España and UEFA Women’s Nations League honours were also among her achievements, according to the ceremony report.
Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal won the men’s young player award, while team-mate Vicky López claimed the women’s equivalent.
Paris Saint-Germain were named men’s club of the year, while Barcelona took the women’s award.
Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka received the Socrates Award in recognition of his humanitarian and social impact. Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón won the men’s goalkeeper award, with Barcelona’s Cata Coll taking the women’s prize.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente was named men’s coach of the year, while Barcelona manager Pere Romeu won the women’s award.
Mexican striker Charlyn Corral claimed the women’s striker of the year prize, with Kane also winning the men’s striker award.
Full list of winners
- Men’s Ballon d’Or: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich/England)
- Women’s Ballon d’Or: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona/Spain)
- Men’s young player of the year: Lamine Yamal (Barcelona/Spain)
- Women’s young player of the year: Vicky López (Barcelona/Spain)
- 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)
- Men’s club of the year: Paris Saint-Germain
- Women’s club of the year: Barcelona
- Men’s striker of the year: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich/England)
- Women’s striker of the year: Charlyn Corral (CF Pachuca/Mexico)
- Socrates Award: Bukayo Saka (Arsenal/England)
Kane’s triumph caps a remarkable year for the England captain, whose consistent goalscoring and contribution to Bayern’s domestic success helped him emerge from a fiercely contested field featuring Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland and Yamal.
