England captain Harry Kane has won the 2026 Ballon d’Or, the award for the best men’s footballer in the world.
The 33-year-old Bayern Munich striker received the award at a ceremony at the London Palladium Theatre on Monday 26 October 2026. He is only the fifth Englishman ever to win it, and the first since Michael Owen in 2001.
Ballon d’Or is French for “golden ball”, and this was the 70th time the award has been handed out.
Kane scored 73 goals in 65 games last season, 61 for Bayern and 12 for England. He also captained England to third place at this year’s World Cup.
Kane also won the Men’s Striker of the Year award, and in August he became the first English player to be named Germany’s Footballer of the Year. France’s Kylian Mbappé came second in the voting.
England coach Thomas Tuchel congratulated Kane, saying the team was “lucky to have you as our leader”.
Spain’s Alexia Putellas won the women’s Ballon d’Or for the third time.
SMART Prep | Quick Question 
