England captain and Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane has won the 2026 men’s Ballon d’Or, becoming the first Englishman in 25 years to claim football’s most prestigious individual award. The 33-year-old was crowned at the 70th edition of the ceremony held at the London Palladium on Monday, ending England’s wait for a winner since Michael Owen claimed the award in 2001. Kane beat Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé, who finished second, and Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal, who came third, to secure the honour following a remarkable 2025/26 season. He scored 73 goals in 65 appearances for Bayern Munich and England, helping the German giants win the Bundesliga title, the German Cup and the German Super Cup. Kane also played a key role in England’s third-place finish at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, further strengthening his credentials for the award. The victory makes Kane only the fifth Englishman to win the men’s Ballon d’Or, joining Stanley Matthews, Bobby Charlton and Kevin Keegan, who won it twice. He also collected the Gerd Müller Trophy for the best men’s striker, adding another individual honour to an outstanding season. Kane’s triumph marks a significant milestone in his career, having never previously finished higher than 10th in the Ballon d’Or rankings. Meanwhile, Spain’s Alexia Putellas won the women’s Ballon d’Or for the third time, while Yamal claimed the men’s Young Talent of the Year award.