ENGLAND captain and Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane has won the 2026 Ballon d’Or, beating France’s Kylian Mbappé and Spain’s Lamine Yamal to claim football’s most prestigious individual award.
Kane was crowned the winner at the 70th edition of the Ballon d’Or ceremony held at the London Palladium on Monday, 26 October 2026, becoming the first Englishman to receive the honour since Michael Owen in 2001.
The 33-year-old striker also won the Gerd Müller Trophy, awarded to the outstanding goalscorer in men’s football, following an exceptional campaign for club and country.
Kane scored 61 goals in 51 appearances for Bayern Munich across all competitions, helping the German giants secure a domestic league and cup double. His contributions for England further strengthened his claim to the individual honour.
Kane’s achievement represents a significant milestone in his career, having established himself as one of Europe’s most consistent and prolific forwards. His finishing ability, movement, leadership and consistency in front of goal have made him a central figure for both Bayern Munich and the England national team.
The award also marks a historic moment for English football, ending a 25-year wait for an English winner of the men’s Ballon d’Or. Owen, who played for Liverpool at the time, was the last Englishman to win the prize in 2001.
Mbappé And Yamal Finish Behind Kane
Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé finished second in the voting, while Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal secured third place.
Mbappé remained one of the leading contenders following another impressive campaign, while Yamal continued to strengthen his reputation as one of the most exciting young talents in world football.
Spain midfielder Rodri finished fourth, with Argentina captain Lionel Messi taking fifth place. Messi, an eight-time winner of the award, remains the most decorated player in Ballon d’Or history.
Paris Saint-Germain forward Khvicha Kvaratskhelia placed sixth, followed by France international Ousmane Dembélé in seventh.
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland finished eighth, while Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise came ninth. Spain international Fabián Ruiz completed the top 10 in tenth place.
Kane Also Claims Gerd Müller Trophy
Kane’s success was not limited to the Ballon d’Or, as he also received the men’s Gerd Müller Trophy in recognition of his goalscoring achievements.
The award further underlined the England captain’s remarkable productivity throughout the campaign and his importance to Bayern Munich’s attacking ambitions.
Kane’s double triumph places him among the leading figures in the modern game, rewarding a season in which his goals and performances helped Bayern secure domestic silverware.
The 2026 ceremony was particularly significant because London hosted the Ballon d’Or for the first time, with the event marking the award’s 70th anniversary. The ceremony also paid tribute to the inaugural winner, England’s Stanley Matthews, who received the first Ballon d’Or in 1956.
The Ballon d’Or, established by France Football, recognises outstanding individual performances in football. UEFA has co-organised the ceremony with the award’s owners since 2024.
Kane’s victory adds another landmark to his career and reinforces his status among the elite forwards of his generation.
Official 2026 Ballon d’Or top 10:
1. Harry Kane — England
2. Kylian Mbappé — France
3. Lamine Yamal — Spain
4. Rodri Hernández — Spain
5. Lionel Messi — Argentina
6. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia — Georgia
7. Ousmane Dembélé — France
8. Erling Haaland — Norway
9. Michael Olise — France
10. Fabián Ruiz — Spain
