Harry Kane has won the 2026 Ballon d’Or after a dominant year for Bayern Munich and England, becoming the first English winner of football’s top individual honour in 25 years.
The England skipper managed to get in front of the France international, Kylian Mbappe who claimed the second place while Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal finished third.
Kane becomes the fifth English player to win the award. The others were Sir Stanley Matthews in 1956, Sir Bobby Charlton in 1966, Kevin Keegan in 1978 and 1979 and Michael Owen in 2001.
The star’s impressive 2025-26 campaign was key, as he recorded 61 goals and seven assists in 51 appearances for Bayern Munich. He also scored 11 goals and had three assists for his national team.
Kane was the Bundesliga’s leading goalscorer with 36 goals and netted a further 14 goals in the Champions League, scooping the European Golden Shoe in the process.
Kane said in London, where he was presenting the award: “Congratulations to all the winners and nominees, it just shows what hard work and determination can get you.”
The England manager, Thomas Tuchel, also congratulated the striker, adding: “Well earned and we all appreciate what the boy does and the way he performs.”
“It was very special for him to be the first Englishman in 25 years to get the award,” said Tuchel.
The Bayern Munich star will now aim to keep this form going and help fire more goals for club and country.
