Harry Kane Wins 2026 Men’s Ballon d’Or, First Englishman in 25 Years
Harry Kane has won the 2026 Men’s Ballon d’Or, becoming the first Englishman to claim the award in 25 years. According to UEFA, the Bayern Munich striker, 33, was named ahead of Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal at the ceremony in London on Monday, October 26, 2026.
How Kane won the award
UEFA says Kane scored 73 goals for club and country across all competitions in the 2025/26 season. He helped Bayern retain the Bundesliga title as part of a domestic treble, finished as the league’s top scorer for the third season running, and scored 14 Champions League goals as Bayern reached the semi-finals. He also won the Men’s Striker of the Year award.
ESPN reports that the award is organised by France Football and voted on by 100 journalists from around the world. It says Kane is the fifth English winner and the first since Michael Owen in 2001.
World Cup and England record
The Associated Press, carried by NPR and KGOU, says Kane scored six goals at the World Cup and passed Gary Lineker as England’s all-time leading scorer at the tournament. England lost to Argentina in the semi-finals but beat France for third place, their best World Cup finish in 60 years, the AP reports.
“It’s been too long,” Kane said of England’s wait for another winner, according to the AP, which adds that England coach Thomas Tuchel told him the team is lucky to have him as its leader.
Top ten and other winners
UEFA’s men’s top ten is Kane, Mbappé, Yamal, Rodri, Lionel Messi, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Ousmane Dembélé, Erling Haaland, Michael Olise and Fabián Ruiz.
Other men’s prizes went to Yamal as Young Talent of the Year, Unai Simón as Goalkeeper of the Year, Luis de la Fuente as Coach of the Year and Paris Saint-Germain as Club of the Year, UEFA says. Bukayo Saka received the Sócrates Award for solidarity work.
The AP reports that Alexia Putellas won her third Women’s Ballon d’Or. UEFA also lists Vicky López, Cata Coll and Pere Romeu among the women’s winners.
Background
Kane finished 13th in the 2025 Ballon d’Or voting, according to Sports Illustrated. ESPN lists the five English winners as Stanley Matthews in 1956, Bobby Charlton in 1966, Kevin Keegan in 1978 and 1979, Michael Owen in 2001 and Kane in 2026.
UEFA says the 70th edition was held in London for the first time, honouring Matthews, the award’s first winner. France Football has co-organised the awards with UEFA since 2024.
Quick timeline:
- 1956: Stanley Matthews wins the first Ballon d’Or.
- 2001: Michael Owen wins, the last Englishman before Kane.
- 2025: Kane finishes 13th.
- September 8, 2026: Nominees are unveiled.
- October 26, 2026: Kane wins in London.
What happens next
The sources reviewed do not give Kane’s full acceptance remarks or any plans for a celebration at Bayern Munich. Readers should watch official UEFA and club channels for further reaction.
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