Kane wins Ballon d'Or after 73-goal season for Bayern and England

Harry Kane won the Ballon d'Or on Monday, claiming football's top individual honor for the first time in his career. The England captain finished the 2025-26 season with 73 goals for club and country, a total that voters deemed decisive in a competitive field. This victory marks a 25-year gap since Michael Owen won the award in 2001.

Kane’s numbers were driven by a prolific year with Bayern Munich. He scored 61 goals in 51 appearances across all competitions, helping the German side win both the league and the cup. His performance at the World Cup added to his case, as he netted six goals to lead England to the semi-finals.

The competition for the trophy was tight. Kylian Mbappe finished in second place after breaking World Cup scoring records. Lamine Yamal, who helped Spain win the World Cup, placed third. Rodri and Lionel Messi rounded out the top five. Voters selected Kane based on his consistency across the entire season rather than peak moments in a single tournament.

Kane addressed the crowd from the stage in London, thanking those who voted for him. He noted that the presence of other world-class players made the achievement more meaningful. He also thanked his career coaches, Tottenham Hotspur, and his wife Kate.

"It's about the journey," Kane said during his acceptance speech. "Anything is possible, work hard when nobody is watching." He recalled his early struggles at Tottenham, where he was sent out on numerous loans before developing into a complete striker. He told young players that they must find their own path to success.

Alexia Putellas won the Ballon d'Or Feminin for the third time. The Spain midfielder won a treble with Barcelona in 2025-26, which included the league, cup, and Champions League, as well as the Spanish Super Cup. She moved to the London City Lionesses in July after 14 years at Barcelona.

The ceremony also recognized coaching and individual excellence across other categories. Luis de la Fuente was named men's coach of the year, while Pere Romeu won the women's coaching award. Unai Simon took the men's goalkeeper prize, and Cata Coll won the women's equivalent.

Paris Saint-Germain won the men's club of the year award, while Barcelona claimed the women's team honor. Lamine Yamal received his third young talent award, and Vicky Lopez won the women's young player prize for the second year in a row. Bukayo Saka received the Socrates Award for humanitarian work.