Harry Kane won the Ballon d'Or at a ceremony in London on Monday night, claiming football's top individual honour after a record-breaking season for Bayern Munich and England. The 33-year-old is the first Englishman to win the award since Michael Owen in 2001.
"Wow, wow, wow! I am almost speechless," Kane said on stage, adding that receiving it in London made it extra special and thanking those who voted for him in what he called a tough year.
Kane scored 61 goals in 51 games for Bayern across all competitions in 2025-26 as the German club won a league and cup double. He then scored six times at the World Cup, leading England to the semi-finals, and finished the campaign with 73 goals for club and country.
According to sources, the race was fierce: Kylian Mbappe broke World Cup scoring records and Lamine Yamal helped Spain win the World Cup, but voters rewarded Kane's consistency across the whole season. He is already England's all-time leading scorer and their record World Cup marksman.
Spain midfielder Alexia Putellas won the women's Ballon d'Or for the third time after a treble and the Spanish Super Cup with Barcelona. She joined London City Lionesses in July after 14 years at Barca.