Harry Kane wins men’s Ballon d’Or, Alexia Putellas wins women’s Ballon d’Or

Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane won the 2026 Ballon d’Or (awarded to the best footballer of the year), becoming the first English player to win the award in 25 years, since Michael Owen in 2001.

Kane scored 73 goals in 65 appearances for Bayern Munich and the England national team during the 2025–2026 season, also winning the Golden Boot (awarded to the top scorer).

Specifically, he scored 36 goals for Bayern Munich in the German league (Bundesliga), 14 in the Champions League, 10 in the German Cup and 1 in the German Super Cup. He also scored 12 goals for England, including 6 at this summer’s World Cup. He has already scored 16 goals in the new season.

The other two nominees for the award were Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal and Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé.

Meanwhile, although the ceremony has been held in Paris since 2019, it took place in London for the first time to mark the 70th anniversary of the inaugural award in 1956, which went to England’s Stanley Matthews.

Spain’s Alexia Putellas, now playing for London City Lionesses, won the women’s Ballon d’Or for the third time in five years.

“La Reina” (the Queen) played for Barcelona during the 2025–2026 season before joining London City Lionesses. She won the Champions League and recorded 21 goals and 13 assists across all competitions.

The other two nominees for the award were Barcelona’s Ewa Pajor and Manchester City’s Khadija Shaw.

“To all the boys and girls around the world: If you love football and want to play, then play. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a boy or a girl,” Putellas said.

The women’s Ballon d’Or has only been awarded since 2018, with Putellas and fellow Spaniard Aitana Bonmatí each winning it three times over the past six years.