Bayern striker Harry Kane wins Ballon d'Or ahead of Mbappe and Yamal
Harry Kane won the Ballon d'Or in London on Monday, becoming the first English winner since Michael Owen in 2001 and the first Bundesliga player since Matthias Sammer in 1996.
Archive image · Photo: Werner100359 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped and resized)
Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane won the 2026 Ballon d'Or on Monday, beating Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe and Barcelona's Lamine Yamal at France Football's 70th awards ceremony at the London Palladium. Kane is the first English winner since Michael Owen in 2001 and the first Bundesliga player to take the award since Matthias Sammer in 1996. He scored 73 goals for club and country last season and was also named striker of the year.
"This is a trophy that we celebrate, not me," Kane said in his acceptance speech, also paying tribute to his former club: "I wouldn't be where I am today without Tottenham, for sure." Rodri, Lionel Messi, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, holder Ousmane Dembele, Erling Haaland, Kane's Bayern teammate Michael Olise and Fabian Ruiz completed the top 10.
Yamal won the Kopa Trophy for the best young player, Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon took the Yashin Trophy and Spain coach Luis de la Fuente was named coach of the year. Paris Saint-Germain were voted club of the year and Arsenal's Bukayo Saka received the Socrates Award. The ceremony started 30 minutes late.