29.10.2026 20:53
Harry Kane, striker for Bayern Munich and the England national team, won the Ballon d'Or, awarded to the best footballer of the 2025-26 season, for the first time in his career at a ceremony held in London. The 33-year-old Kane became the first Englishman to receive the award after Michael Owen in 2001. In the voting, Kylian Mbappe placed second and Lamine Yamal third. In the women's category, Alexia Putellas won the award for the third time.
Bayern Munich and England national team star striker Harry Kane has won the Ballon d'Or (Golden Ball), awarded to the best footballer of the 2025-26 season, for the first time in his career.
The ceremony, held at the Palladium Theatre in London, the capital of England, where the award was presented for the 70th time, was held outside Paris for the first time in memory of English footballer Stanley Matthews, who won the first Ballon d'Or in 1956.
The award ceremony, hosted by Thierry Henry and Kate Scott, began with a 45-minute delay due to heavy traffic in the city center.
In the voting, Real Madrid's French star Kylian Mbappe finished second, while Lamine Yamal, who plays for Barcelona, finished third.
In the women's category, Spanish star Alexia Putellas, who won the UEFA Champions League with Barcelona last season and transferred to London City Lionesses last summer, won the Ballon d'Or for the third time after 2021 and 2022.
FIRST ENGLISHMAN TO WIN THE AWARD IN 25 YEARS
33-year-old Kane became the first English footballer to win the Ballon d'Or after Michael Owen in 2001.
Kane made history as the fifth Englishman to win the award, after Stanley Matthews (1956), Bobby Charlton (1966), Kevin Keegan (1978, 1979) and Michael Owen.
The English footballer became the first Bayern Munich player to win the Ballon d'Or since Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, who won the award in consecutive years in 1980 and 1981.
Last season, Harry Kane scored 61 goals in 51 matches for Bayern Munich, becoming the highest-scoring player in a single season in the club's history. The star footballer had also scored 73 goals for the national team.
Kane also scored 6 goals at the World Cup co-hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico, playing an important role in England's third-place finish.
KANE: I CAN'T FIND THE WORDS
Speaking at the award ceremony, Kane said, "I can't find the words. Being here in London made it even more special. I thank everyone who voted for me. I can imagine this year was a difficult choice. There are world-class players in the room tonight. I congratulate all the winners and nominees."
Kane thanked his teammates, coaches and family, and also addressed Bayern Munich head coach Vincent Kompany, who fell ill at the club's facility last week and was taken to hospital, saying, "Vinny, I wish you a speedy recovery. I hope this has given you some energy."
England national team head coach Thomas Tuchel congratulated Kane, saying, "I ran out of words of praise to describe your performances a long time ago, but I am delighted to see that the football world has now officially recognized you. Being the first Englishman to win this great award after 25 years makes it even more special. It is a great fortune for us to see you as our leader."
YAMAL WINS KOPA TROPHY FOR THE 3RD CONSECUTIVE TIME
Barcelona's 19-year-old Spanish star Lamine Yamal achieved the feat of winning the Kopa Trophy, awarded to the best under-21 player of the season, for the third consecutive time.
The women's winner of this award was Barcelona's Spanish player Vicky Lopez, who won it for the second consecutive time.
The Gerd Müller Trophy, awarded to the forward of the year, went to Bayern Munich star Harry Kane in the men's category and to Pachuca's Mexican striker Charlyn Corral in the women's category. Corral is the all-time top scorer in the history of the Pachuca women's team.
The Lev Yashin award for the best goalkeeper of the year was won by Athletic Bilbao's Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simon in the men's category and Barcelona's Spanish goalkeeper Cata Coll in the women's category.
Simon, who played a major role in Spain's championship at the World Cup, set a record by keeping a clean sheet in 7 matches in the tournament and won the "Golden Glove" award.
COACH OF THE YEAR IS ALSO DE LA FUENTE
Spain's head coach Luis de la Fuente, who achieved the championship at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, was awarded the men's coach of the year prize (Johan Cruyff Trophy).
Barcelona women's team head coach Pere Romeu also received the women's coach of the year award.
The club of the year award went to Paris Saint-Germain, who won the UEFA Champions League for the second consecutive time, in the men's category, and to Barcelona in the women's category.
The Socrates award was given to Arsenal's English star Bukayo Saka for his social responsibility work off the pitch.