Harry Kane wins 2026 Ballon d’Or to become first English winner since Michael Owen in 2001

Harry Kane has won the 2026 Ballon d’Or, ending England’s 25-year wait for a winner after a 61-goal season for Bayern Munich.

The England captain received the award at the London Palladium on Monday, becoming the fifth English player to win it. Michael Owen had been the most recent English recipient, in 2001.

Alexia Putellas won the women’s award for a third time, while Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka received the Sócrates Award for his work away from the pitch.

Kane’s 61-goal season earns recognition

Kane scored 61 goals in 51 Bayern appearances during the 2025-26 campaign, including 36 in the Bundesliga, as detailed in Bayern’s assessment of their Ballon d’Or nominees.

His league tally secured the European Golden Shoe, while Bayern won the Bundesliga and German Cup. Kane also scored six times as England reached the World Cup semi-finals.

The award recognises the most prolific club season of his career and adds football’s leading individual prize to the team honours he has collected since moving to Germany.

Kane had already won the men’s Striker of the Year award earlier in the ceremony.

England’s fifth Ballon d’Or winner

Kane joins Sir Stanley Matthews, Sir Bobby Charlton, Kevin Keegan and Owen on the list of English winners.

Matthews won the inaugural award in 1956, Charlton followed in 1966 and Keegan claimed consecutive prizes in 1978 and 1979. Owen’s success in 2001 had been England’s last until Kane’s victory in London.

Keegan remains the only Englishman to have won the award twice.

Putellas wins again after move to London City

Putellas claimed her third women’s Ballon d’Or, adding to her victories in 2021 and 2022.

The Spain midfielder was recognised after her final season with Barcelona, before joining London City Lionesses in July, as Reuters reports.

Her success gives the Women’s Super League a reigning Ballon d’Or winner following her summer arrival in England.

Barcelona also collected the women’s Club of the Year award. Pere Romeu won the women’s coaching prize, Cata Coll took the goalkeeping award and Vicky López won the young player honour.

Saka recognised with Sócrates Award

Saka received the Sócrates Award, which recognises social commitment and humanitarian work through football.

The organisers’ official ceremony coverage also confirms awards for Spain coach Luis de la Fuente, Athletic Club goalkeeper Unai Simón and Pachuca striker Charlyn Corral.

Lamine Yamal won the men’s Kopa Trophy, while Paris Saint-Germain were named men’s Club of the Year.

Our Ballon d’Or ceremony guide includes the nominees and background to the voting.