London, England – October 26, 2026


England captain and Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane has been crowned the 2026 Men's Ballon d'Or winner, marking a remarkable milestone in his football career and ending a 25-year wait for England to produce another winner of the prestigious individual award.

The 33-year-old forward emerged victorious at the 70th edition of the Ballon d'Or ceremony held at the London Palladium Theatre, beating strong competition from France's Kylian Mbappé and Barcelona's teenage sensation Lamine Yamal.

Kane's triumph follows an exceptional 2025/2026 campaign in which he demonstrated remarkable consistency, goal-scoring ability and leadership for both Bayern Munich and the England national team. He recorded an impressive 73 goals across club and international competitions, playing a crucial role in Bayern Munich's domestic success.

His outstanding performances helped Bayern retain the Bundesliga title and secure major domestic honours, while his contributions to England's World Cup campaign further strengthened his credentials for football's most coveted individual recognition.

The victory makes Kane the first Englishman since Michael Owen in 2001 to claim the Men's Ballon d'Or, joining an exclusive list of English football legends who have previously received the honour.

Beyond the main award, the ceremony celebrated several other outstanding performers. Lamine Yamal was named Men's Young Talent of the Year, while Unai Simón received the Men's Goalkeeper of the Year award. Paris Saint-Germain was recognised as Men's Club of the Year, and Bukayo Saka received the prestigious Sócrates Award for his humanitarian and social contributions.

In the women's category, Spanish midfielder Alexia Putellas claimed the Women's Ballon d'Or, securing the honour for the third time in her illustrious career.

Kane's achievement represents more than individual recognition. It is a testament to perseverance, determination and the rewards of sustained excellence at the highest level of football.

His journey to the summit of world football serves as an inspiration to aspiring footballers, demonstrating that dedication and resilience can eventually turn years of hard work into history.

Harry Kane is officially the king of world football for 2026.