England captain Harry Kane has won the 2026 Men’s Ballon d’Or, while Spanish midfielder Alexia Putellas claimed the Women’s Ballon d’Or for the third time in her career at a ceremony celebrating the world’s outstanding footballers.
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Kane and Putellas were crowned on Monday, October 26, at the London Palladium as the Ballon d’Or marked its 70th anniversary with the ceremony being held in London for the first time.
Kane, 33, emerged ahead of Real Madrid and France forward Kylian Mbappé, who finished second, while Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal placed third.
The Bayern Munich striker becomes the first Englishman to win the prestigious individual award since Michael Owen in 2001 and only the fifth English player to claim the honour.
Sir Stanley Matthews won the inaugural award in 1956, Sir Bobby Charlton followed in 1966, Kevin Keegan won in 1978 and 1979, while Owen was crowned in 2001.
Kane’s victory followed an extraordinary 2025/26 campaign in which he scored 73 goals for club and country across all competitions, including 61 for Bayern Munich.
He helped Bayern retain the Bundesliga title as part of a successful domestic campaign and finished as the German league’s leading scorer for a third successive season.
The England captain also scored 14 goals in the UEFA Champions League as Bayern reached the semi-finals.
Kane’s performances for England were also central to his Ballon d’Or triumph, with the striker helping the national team to a third-place finish at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
In addition to winning the Ballon d’Or, Kane was named the Men’s Striker of the Year.
He finished ahead of Mbappé and Yamal in the final Ballon d’Or ranking, with Rodri placing fourth and Lionel Messi fifth. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia finished sixth, Ousmane Dembélé seventh, Erling Haaland eighth, Michael Olise ninth and Fabián Ruiz completed the top 10.
Kane described winning the award in London as particularly special.
“I’m almost speechless,” he said after receiving the trophy.
“Being here in London has made it extra special. It looked like a good omen for me tonight.”
He thanked those who voted for him as well as his teammates, coaches, former club Tottenham Hotspur, Bayern Munich, England and his family for their support throughout his career.
In the women’s category, Putellas completed a remarkable return to the summit of world football by winning the Women’s Ballon d’Or for the third time.
The Spanish international previously won the award in 2021 and 2022.
Her latest victory draws her level with former Barcelona and Spain teammate Aitana Bonmatí, who won the award in 2023, 2024 and 2025.
Putellas finished ahead of Poland and Barcelona striker Ewa Pajor, who placed second, while Manchester City and Jamaica forward Khadija Shaw finished third.
Melchie Dumornay was fourth, followed by Patri Guijarro, Caroline Graham Hansen, Pernille Harder, Clàudia Pina, Alessia Russo and Temwa Chawinga in the women’s top 10.
Putellas’ award recognised an outstanding 2025/26 campaign with Barcelona before she left the Spanish club to join Women’s Super League side London City Lionesses in July.
The 32-year-old played a central role in Barcelona’s success, helping the club win the Women’s Champions League and other major honours.
She was named the 2025/26 UEFA Women’s Champions League Player of the Season after recording seven goals and seven assists during Barcelona’s victorious European campaign.
Putellas was also influential for Spain, having helped the national team win the 2025 UEFA Women’s Nations League.
Her third Ballon d’Or represents a remarkable return to the top of women’s football after an anterior cruciate ligament injury disrupted her career shortly before Euro 2022.
The 2026 ceremony also produced several other winners.
Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal was named Men’s Young Talent of the Year, while Vicky López won the women’s equivalent.
Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón was named Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year, with Barcelona’s Cata Coll winning the women’s award.
Spain national team coach Luis de la Fuente was named Men’s Coach of the Year, while Barcelona coach Pere Romeu took the women’s coaching award.
Paris Saint-Germain was named Men’s Club of the Year, while Barcelona was crowned Women’s Club of the Year.
Mexico and Pachuca forward Charlyn Corral won the Women’s Striker of the Year award, while England and Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka received the Sócrates Award for his humanitarian and social initiatives.
The night, however, belonged principally to Kane and Putellas, with the England captain claiming the Ballon d’Or for the first time and Putellas adding a third trophy to a career that has established her among the most decorated players in women’s football.
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