English footballer Harry Kane wins the Striker of the Year trophy during the Ballon d’Or ceremony at the London Palladium Theater in London, England, Monday, October 26, 2026.
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Kin Cheung/AP
LONDON — Harry Kane on Monday became the first Englishman in 25 years to win the Ballon d’Or thanks to his prolific goalscoring last season.
Kane scored 73 goals for club and country last campaign – he was Europe’s top scorer – and broke goalscoring records in Germany for Bayern Munich and at the World Cup, where he led England to third place.
Kane, 33, says winning the prestigious individual award is about so much more.
“Anything is possible with hard work, when no one else is watching, to go through ups and downs, to learn through resilience, determination and self-belief,” an emotional Kane said in a message to young players, after reflecting on his early career struggles.
“My journey was not easy. I was not the type to go straight to the top. I had to experience the lows,” he added. “I had to fight to be the best right now. I hope this can inspire you too.”
Kane was followed in the voting by Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal – voted best young talent for a third consecutive year – 2024 winner Rodri and record eight-time winner Lionel Messi.
Kane thanked his teammates, coaches, parents, children – “It’s past bedtime” – and his wife Kate, “my best friend. We’ve been through ups and downs, that’s for sure. You’re my biggest supporter. You always want the best for me.”
Kane led Bayern to the Bundesliga and German Cup double, scoring a hat-trick against Stuttgart in the cup final. Bayern also reached the semi-finals of the Champions League.
At the World Cup, he scored six times to overtake Gary Lineker as England’s all-time leading World Cup scorer and moved into the top five all-time scorers in the tournament’s history. His team lost to Argentina in the semi-final but beat Mbappé’s France for third place, England’s best World Cup finish for 60 years.
No Englishman has won the Ballon d’Or since Michael Owen in 2001.
“It’s huge for England, for our country. (The ceremony) being here in London was a good omen for me,” Kane said. “It’s been too long. There have certainly been some incredible English players… To put us back on the map, to put us here with this trophy, I’m extremely proud. Playing for England is my greatest honour, the thing I love doing the most.”
England manager Thomas Tuchel told Kane the Three Lions were “lucky to have you as their leader”.
“I ran out of superlatives to describe your performances a long time ago, but I am delighted to see that you are now officially recognized by the football world,” Tuchel said.
Fans filled the streets and climbed lampposts near the London Palladium, where the event was being held, to get a glimpse of the arriving athletes. Kane stopped to sign autographs as he entered.
They stayed throughout the ceremony and chanted Kane’s name as he left the theater near Oxford Circus after midnight.
Kane planned to celebrate with family and friends, but only a little.
“We have a cup match on Wednesday, so it can’t be too complicated,” Kane said, pointing out that he had to catch a flight back to Munich on Tuesday morning, in time for the team’s training.
Monday’s ceremony took place in London for the first time in tribute to the first winner 70 years ago, the Englishman Stanley Matthews in 1956.
Alexia Putellas of London City’s Spanish Lionesses wins the Women’s Player of the Year trophy during the Ballon d’Or ceremony at the London Palladium Theater in London, England, Monday October 26, 2026.
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Kin Cheung/AP
Putellas’ hat trick
Earlier, Spanish star Alexia Putellas won her record third women’s Ballon d’Or after leading her former club Barcelona to several trophies last season, including the Women’s Champions League.
Putellas, who joined the London City Lionesses in the off-season, also helped Spain win the Women’s Nations League last December.
The 32-year-old midfielder ended the three-year reign of his Spanish teammate Aitana Bonmati.
Putellas won the prestigious award in 2021 and 2022, tore his ACL and saw Bonmati rise to stardom. Bonmati, who completed her triple Women’s Ballon d’Or in 2025, was not on this year’s shortlist after breaking her leg in December.
There was no women’s Ballon d’Or until 2018, when Ada Hegerberg won it.
Putellas urged young players to approach the sport with “love and passion”.
“Believe in yourself, that’s the most important thing,” she said. “If you have a dream, go for it, even if at some point you have to start from scratch.”
Putellas joined Barcelona in 2012 and described his time at the Catalan club as “something special”.
“I’m really grateful to have spent 14 seasons as a player (at Barcelona),” she said. “What I experienced last year was like a perfect story.”
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