Bayern Munich striker and England captain Harry Kane has won the 2026 Men’s Ballon d’Or, becoming the first Englishman since Michael Owen in 2001 to claim football’s most prestigious individual award.
The 33-year-old received the honour at the 70th Ballon d’Or gala held at the London Palladium on Monday night, following an outstanding 2025–26 season for club and country.
Kane also won the Men’s Striker of the Year award earlier in the ceremony, capping a remarkable campaign in which he established himself as one of the world’s most prolific goalscorers.
The England captain scored 61 goals in 51 appearances for Bayern Munich, helping the German giants secure a domestic league and cup double.
His overall tally reportedly rose to 73 goals when his international performances were included.
At the international level, Kane captained England to the semi-finals of the World Cup, scoring six goals during the tournament.
His Ballon d’Or triumph ends a 25-year wait for an English winner, following Michael Owen’s success in 2001.
The award is determined by an international panel of football journalists, who assess players’ individual performances, achievements and contributions over the preceding year.
2026 MEN’S BALLON D’OR TOP 10
- Harry Kane — Bayern Munich and England
- Kylian Mbappé — Real Madrid and France
- Lamine Yamal — Barcelona and Spain
- Rodri — Manchester City/Barcelona and Spain
- Lionel Messi — Inter Miami and Argentina
- Khvicha Kvaratskhelia — Paris Saint-Germain and Georgia
- Ousmane Dembélé — Paris Saint-Germain and France
- Erling Haaland — Manchester City and Norway
- Michael Olise — Bayern Munich and France
- Fabián Ruiz — Paris Saint-Germain and Spain
