By Stephen Oladele
Bayern Munich and England striker, Harry Kane, has won the 2026 edition of Ballon d’Or becoming the English player to win the award 25 years after Micheal Owen won it in 2001.
The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony which was the 70th edition took place on Monday night at the London Palladium with soccer biggest stars being in attendance
Kane was voted the winner out of the 10 players listed as possible winners while Kylian Mbappé of Real Madrid and France was voted the runner-up and Lamine Yamal of Bacelona and Spain third.
The English Bayern Munich striker scored 73 goals in 65 games for club and country last season.
The 33-year-old ex-Tottenham forward has joined the rank of England’s soccer legends who won the prestogious Ballon d’Or honour after Sir Stanley Matthews, Sir Bobby Charlton, Kevin Keegan and Micheal Owen.
In the recent year the honour had been mostly won by Lionel Messi of Argentina and Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal both of whom are considered as the greatest players of the present generation.
It was however won in 2024 by Rodri of Spain and in 2025 by Ousmane Dembèlé of France and Paris St Germain.
Kane who was elated by the award thanked the France Football, the organiser of the ceremony, and all those who voted for him
“Wow, I’m almost speechless. First of all, thanks again to the France Football and Ballon d’Or for this amazing event. Being in London, it is extra special; It felt like a good omen.
“Thanks to everyone for voting for me. I can imagine it was very tough. Thank to you everyone that voted for me,” he stated.
The soccer star who is a first timer winner also thanked his country, England, club, Bayern Munich, former club, Tottenham and wife, Kate
Alexia Putellas of London City Lioness and Spain won in the women category while Yamal won won men’s young talent with Vicky Lopez, also of Spain emerging winner of women’s young talent
The list of the winners is as follows:
Men’s Ballon d’Or: Harry Kane
Women’s Ballon d’Or: Alexia Putellas
Other award winners
Men’s Young Talent of the Year: Lamine Yamal
Women’s Young Talent of the Year: Vicky Lopez
Women’s Coach of the Year: Pere Romeu
Men’s Coach of the Year: Luis de la Fuente
Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year: Cata Coll
Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year: Unai Simon
Women’s Club of the Year: FC Barcelona Femení
Men’s Club of the Year: PSG
Sócrates Award: Bukayo Saka
Men’s Gerd Müller Trophy: Harry Kane
Women’s Gerd Müller Trophy: Charlyn Corral
