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Kane Wins First Ballon d'Or for England Since 2001

Updated 2:09 PM ET · 7:16 AM ETConfirmed

Sports Desk

In Short: Harry Kane, England's captain and talisman, won the Ballon d'Or on Monday, October 26, becoming the first English player to claim the prestigious award since Michael Owen in 2001.

Harry Kane, England's captain and talisman, won the Ballon d'Or on Monday, October 26, becoming the first English player to claim the prestigious award since Michael Owen in 2001. The ceremony took place at the London Palladium, with Kane receiving the award from Brazilian legend Ronaldo Nazário.

Kane's victory marks a significant milestone for the Bundesliga and Bayern Munich, as he is the first player from a German club to win the Ballon d'Or in 30 years. His success underscores the league's ability to attract and develop top talent.

Kane's journey to the Ballon d'Or was not without challenges. After leaving Tottenham Hotspur for Bayern Munich in a record-breaking transfer, he finally won a league title in the 2024/25 season, breaking a jinx that had followed him.

In the 2025/26 season, Kane's remarkable performances led Bayern to a domestic double, winning the Bundesliga and the DFB-Pokal. He also led England to the semifinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Kane's emotional speech highlighted his journey and the support he received from his loved ones. He thanked the fans for their chants of “Harry, Harry” and expressed his gratitude for the recognition.

The Ballon d'Or ceremony also saw Alexia Putellas win her third Women's Ballon d'Or, adding another prestigious individual honor to her career.

Kane's impact at Bayern Munich has been significant, with the club projecting images of him as a 'Bundesliga Legend' across London landmarks such as The Strand and Tate Modern.

German journalist Raphael Honigstein praised Kane as 'one of the great personalities of world football and a role model to all, far beyond the game.'

Bayern Munich CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen emphasized the importance of Kane's achievement for the Bundesliga, stating, 'For a player from a German club to win the Ballon d’Or for the first time in 30 years is a strong signal for the Bundesliga.'

Former France international Samir Nasri sparked debate over Kane's Ballon d'Or triumph, arguing that Kane has never been the player to carry his team through the biggest matches.

The Ballon d'Or ceremony, which began with a delay due to London traffic, brought together the biggest names in world soccer, celebrating the best male and female players in the world.

Kane's success in the 2025/26 season saw him score 73 goals for club and country, establishing himself as the most prolific goalscorer in world soccer, with 36 goals in the Bundesliga and another 14 in the Champions League.

What this adds

Background

What's confirmed

• The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony brought together the biggest names in world soccer at the London Palladium on Monday, October 26, with Harry Kane and Alexia Putellas winning the respective male and female Ballons d’Or as the world’s best male and female players.
• Barcelona midfielder Alexia Putellas claimed the Women’s Ballon d’Or, adding another prestigious individual honor to her remarkable career.
• Harry Kane was crowned the world’s best male soccer player, receiving the Ballon d’Or from Brazilian legend Ronaldo Nazário.
• Harry Kane claimed the Men’s Ballon d’Or at the ceremony in London, while Alexia Putellas won the women’s award as Spain and Barcelona dominated the other major categories.
• The two trophies went their separate ways again in 2016, with Fifa creating their own “The Best” award, but the Ballon d’Or, voted by journalists across the world, is still widely seen as the pinnacle.
• A women’s award – the Ballon d’Or Feminin – was also introduced in 2018, with Spanish duo Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmati each winning three times.
• The award is widely seen as the most prestigious in football's calendar The brainchild of France Football magazine journalist Gabriel Hanot, the Ballon d’Or is widely seen as the most prestigious award in the footballing calendar.
• "This achievement also underlines that the Bundesliga is a stage where the very best players in the world perform at the highest level." Bayern chief executive Jan-Christian Dreesen added: "For a player from a German club to win the Ballon d'Or for the first time in 30 years is a strong signal for the Bundesliga," he said.
• "He now joins a line with Franz Beckenbauer, Gerd Müller and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge - that says everything about our history."

What's still developing

• Only Brazil's Ronaldo, in 1997, was younger than Owen when he won the Ballon d'Or in 2001 We won't hold it against Michael Owen for suggesting he didn't know what the Ballon d'Or was when Gerard Houllier first rang to announce he'd won it.
• But who among the five to have held the coveted prize is England's greatest Ballon d'Or winner?
• “It being here in London as well has made it extra special,” Kane said after winning his first Ballon d’Or.
• Live updates all day, breaking news as it happens and weather every 10 minutes Alèxia Putellas speaks after receiving the Ballon d'Or Féminin for the third time.
• After much debate, it was Kane who was named the men’s Ballon d’Or winner, beating Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal to the prize.
• Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player The Women's Super League has never been able to boast a Ballon d'Or winner.
• Bayern Munich superstar Harry Kane has won the 2026 Ballon d'Or following his incredible 2025/26 campaign, finishing ahead of Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal.
• “Harry Kane, Ballon d’Or… OK, the statistics made the difference. He’s a fantastic player with so many qualities,” Nasri said.
• “Anything is possible with hard work, when no one else is watching, to go through the ups and downs, to learn through resilience, determination and self-belief,” an emotional Kane said.
• Kane ends England's 25-year Ballon d'Or wait - how he bucked the trend Quiz: Kane and who else?
• "The Messi-Iniesta controversy returns: Spain's only voter says Kane doesn't deserve the Ballon d'Or."
• "He's made a huge difference," he told BBC Radio 5 live.

Sources

• BBClink
• Bavarian Football Workslink
• Bundesliga | official websitelink
• Le Monde.frlink
• Sky Sportslink
• Sportscape Magazinelink
• The Indian Expresslink
• The i Paperlink
• Nbclosangeleslink
• Arabnewslink
• The Indian Expresslink
• Channel 3000link
• Diario ASlink
• WarpBeat — background on Ranking England's Ballon d'Or winners link
• WarpBeat — background on Kane Wins First Ballon d'Or for England Since 2001 link
• FC Bayern München — video link