Kane takes Ballon d'Or at 33, first English winner since 2001
The Bayern Munich striker scored 73 goals for club and country last season, while Alexia Putellas won the women's award for a third time.
By Natalia Thornton ·
Harry Kane collected football's top individual prize on Monday at age 33, becoming the first English player to take the Ballon d'Or since Michael Owen won it in 2001. The award lands after a season in which the England captain scored 61 goals in 51 matches for Bayern Munich across all competitions, helping the club secure both its league title and domestic cup.
The path to the ceremony ran through Kane's 2023 transfer to Bayern, which ended the trophy drought that followed him from Tottenham Hotspur. He then built a 2025-26 campaign with 73 goals for club and country, a figure he paired with six goals at the World Cup, where he carried England to the semi-finals. Kane also finished the season as Europe's leading scorer.
The voting went to Kane ahead of Kylian Mbappe in second place. Lamine Yamal, who helped Spain win the World Cup, placed third, followed by Rodri and Lionel Messi. Kane addressed the room after taking the stage: "Wow, wow, wow! I am almost speechless. Being here in London has made it extra special. Made it a good omen for me tonight."
Kane also spoke about the route he took to the award, one that included loan spells while he was trying to establish himself at Tottenham. "I wasn't the kid who went straight to the top. I had to experience the downs," he said. "I had to find my way to be the very best right now." He thanked his coaches, the club and his wife, Kate.
Spain midfielder Alexia Putellas took the women's award for the third time, following a treble season with Barcelona in 2025-26 plus the Spanish Super Cup. Putellas moved to Women's Super League side London City Lionesses in July after 14 years in Barcelona. Kane also collected the men's striker of the year prize.
The remaining honors went to Luis de la Fuente as men's coach of the year, Pere Romeu as women's coach, Unai Simon and Cata Coll as goalkeepers, and Paris St Germain and Barcelona as men's and women's clubs of the year. Bukayo Saka received the Socrates Award for his humanitarian work.
Source: The Star
