Liam Duckstein
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Harry Kane lifted the 2026 Ballon d’Or at Monday’s ceremony in London, settling one of the closest races in recent memory ahead of Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal. Brazilian icon Ronaldo Nazario handed the England captain the trophy, confirming the 33-year-old as the standout performer of the season across European football.
The win makes Kane the fifth English player to claim the award and the first since Michael Owen in 2001. Stanley Matthews started that lineage in 1956, Bobby Charlton followed in 1966, and Kevin Keegan won back-to-back editions in 1978 and 1979. A quarter-century gap now closes with Kane’s name added to that short list.
Welcome to the Ballon d’Or family, Harry! #ballondor
— Ballon d’Or (@ballondor) October 26, 2026
Kane’s Reaction After the Award
Taking the stage to collect the trophy, Kane didn’t hide his emotion. He pointed to the London setting as a factor that made the night feel personal.
“I am almost speechless. Being here in London has made it extra special, made it a good omen for me tonight.”
“Thank you to everyone who voted for me. I can imagine it was tough this year.”
“Some world-class players in the room tonight. Congratulations to all the winners and nominees tonight, an impressive showing of what determination and hard work can really achieve.”
The Numbers Behind the Trophy
Kane’s case rested on raw output. He scored 61 goals across all competitions for Bayern Munich last season, 19 clear of any other player in Europe’s top five leagues. That tally also earned him the Gerd Muller Trophy as the continent’s top scorer for 2025-26.
Vincent Kompany’s side swept the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal and German Supercup during that campaign. Kane added 14 goals in 13 Champions League appearances as Bayern reached the semi-finals, falling just short against eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain.
His influence stretched beyond club football. Kane helped England secure bronze at the 2026 World Cup, scoring six goals in seven appearances, including three in the knockout wins over DR Congo and Mexico. Mbappe and Yamal finished second and third respectively, both still young enough to expect further shots at the top prize.
ALEXIA PUTELLAS! SHE DID IT! She is our 2026 Ballon d’Or winner! #ballondor
— Ballon d’Or (@ballondor) October 26, 2026
Putellas Claims a Third Women’s Ballon d’Or
While Kane took the men’s prize, London City Lionesses midfielder Alexia Putellas won the women’s Ballon d’Or for the third time in her career. The award recognised her quadruple-winning season at Barcelona before her move to London.
Putellas scored 21 goals and added 13 assists in her final Barcelona campaign. Seven of those goals came in the Women’s Champions League, including a decisive brace in the 4-2 semi-final second-leg win over Bayern Munich. The women’s award has now gone to either Putellas or Aitana Bonmati in each of the last six editions.
LAMINE YAMAL IS THE 2026 MEN YOUNG TALENT OF THE YEAR! ✅ 2024 ✅ 2025 ✅ 2026 The Spanish wonderboy is unstoppable. #ballondor with @adidasUK
— Ballon d’Or (@ballondor) October 26, 2026
Yamal Secures a Third Straight Kopa Trophy
Missing out on the main award didn’t stop Yamal’s night. He claimed the men’s Kopa Trophy, given to the best young player in the world, for a third consecutive year.
Barcelona’s Vicky Lopez took the women’s Kopa Trophy. Her teammate Cata Coll won the Women’s Yashin Trophy for the best goalkeeper, while Unai Simon topped a ten-man shortlist for the men’s equivalent that included Spain teammates David Raya and Joan Garcia.
Spain boss Luis de la Fuente and Barcelona head coach Pere Romeu picked up the men’s and women’s Coach of the Year honours respectively, rounding out a night dominated by Spanish and German football.
Follow TipsGG for more coverage as the fallout from this year’s Ballon d’Or ceremony continues to shape the conversation around football’s biggest individual honours.