England captain Harry Kane won the 2026 Ballon d’Or on Monday, October 26, ending the country’s 25-year wait for football’s most prestigious individual award. The Bayern Munich striker received the honour at a ceremony in London, becoming the first Englishman to win the men’s trophy since Michael Owen in 2001.
The 70th edition of the Ballon d’Or ceremony took place at the London Palladium Theatre for the first time outside France. Organisers selected the British capital to honour Sir Stanley Matthews, the inaugural winner of the award in 1956.
Kane’s victory capped a remarkable season for the England international, whose performances for Bayern Munich and his national team established him among the leading contenders for the prestigious prize. The 33-year-old scored 73 goals across club and international football during the 2025-26 season, including 61 for Bayern Munich.
Harry Kane Credits Hard Work and Self-Belief
Speaking after receiving the award, Kane reflected on the challenges he faced throughout his career and the determination that helped him reach the highest level of the game.
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The England captain said he had experienced numerous ups and downs during his early years and was not always viewed as a future superstar. He explained that patience, hard work and self-belief played crucial roles in his development.
HARRY KANE IS THE 2026 BALLON D’OR! #ballondor https://t.co/k3CUlwLF1E
— Ballon d’Or (@ballondor) October 26, 2026
Kane also stressed that winning football’s biggest individual honour would not change his approach to the game. He said he remained committed to improving his performances, scoring goals and helping his teams achieve further success.
His journey to the top has made the award particularly significant, recognising not only his goal-scoring ability but also his persistence throughout a career that demanded years of consistent development.
Prince William and Thomas Tuchel Congratulate Kane
Kane’s achievement drew praise from Prince William, who congratulated the striker on his historic success.
The Prince described him as a brilliant captain and remarkable player, highlighting the unforgettable moments he has provided football fans around the world.
England head coach Thomas Tuchel also celebrated the victory, saying Kane’s performances had long deserved recognition at the highest level.
Tuchel highlighted the significance of Kane becoming the first Englishman to win the award in 25 years. He also praised the striker’s leadership and expressed confidence that he would continue scoring goals and helping his teams win matches.
Alexia Putellas Wins Women’s Ballon d’Or
Spanish midfielder Alexia Putellas won the women’s Ballon d’Or for the third time in her career, adding another major individual honour to her achievements in women’s football.
Putellas received the award after helping Barcelona secure major honours before moving to London City Lionesses. Her victory made her one of the most successful players in the history of the women’s award.
The men’s and women’s awards highlighted the outstanding contributions of footballers across both sides of the game during the 2025-26 season.
London Hosts Historic 70th Ballon d’Or Ceremony
The ceremony was hosted by football legend Thierry Henry and presenter Kate Scott. Alongside the main trophies, organisers presented awards recognising young talent, goalkeeping excellence, coaching achievements, outstanding clubs and contributions to humanitarian causes.
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England winger Bukayo Saka received the Sócrates Award for his humanitarian work and social initiatives. Kane also collected the Gerd Müller Trophy for the men’s striker of the year, recognising his prolific goal-scoring season.
Kane’s success also marked a significant moment for English football. Before his victory, Michael Owen had been the most recent Englishman to win the men’s Ballon d’Or, receiving the award in 2001.
The 2026 ceremony therefore delivered a historic result for England while celebrating individual excellence across international football.
For Kane, the honour represents the culmination of years of perseverance and consistent performances. His next challenge will be to maintain that level and help Bayern Munich and England compete for further success.
