Harry Kane claimed the 2026 Ballon d’Or at a ceremony in London on Monday. The England captain and Bayern Munich striker became the first English player to win the award since Michael Owen in 2001.
Meanwhile Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid finished second. Barcelona attacker Lamine Yamal placed third.
Kane scored 61 goals in 51 club matches last season. That total set a new Bayern Munich single-season record. Including England games he finished with 73 goals and eight assists in 65 matches.
He also claimed the European Golden Boot. Bayern Munich secured a domestic double of the Bundesliga and German Cup under his contribution. Kane captained England to a World Cup semi-final.
Kane stepped onto the stage at the London Palladium and addressed the audience. “I am almost speechless. Being here in London has made it extra special,” he said.
He continued: “Thank you to everyone who voted for me. I can imagine it was tough this year. It was really tough this year, the incredible players I was up against.”
Kane later reflected on his path. “Not many people would have thought it, and maybe even I wouldn’t have thought I’d be this far,” he told Dazn. “I had to go through many ups and downs, especially early in my career. I was never the person that people thought was going to be the superstar like some of the guys now. I had to bide my time and work hard.”
Kane became the fifth Englishman to lift the Ballon d’Or. Stanley Matthews won in 1956. Bobby Charlton followed in 1966. Kevin Keegan claimed successive awards in 1978 and 1979.
England manager Thomas Tuchel welcomed the result. He said he was “delighted” and described the success as a “huge honour.”
Prince William called Kane a “brilliant captain” and “remarkable player.” Wembley Stadium lit its arches gold to mark the occasion.
Kane also collected the Gerd Müller Trophy as the season’s top striker. At 33 he joins a short list of elite forwards recognised as the world’s best.
