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Ranking England's Ballon d'Or winners
Confirmed
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.
Kane's victory marks a significant milestone for English football, as he is only the fifth Englishman to win the Ballon d'Or since its inception in 1956.
The award ceremony took place at the London Palladium, with Kane receiving the trophy from Brazilian legend Ronaldo Nazário.
Kane's emotional speech was met with cheers from the crowd, who chanted his name in support.
Kane's win comes after a sensational campaign with Bayern Munich, where he has continued to showcase his exceptional skills.
The Ballon d'Or, established in 1956 by France Football magazine, was initially awarded to the best European player until 1995, when it expanded to include all players based in Europe.
In 2007, the award became a worldwide competition, recognizing the best players from clubs across the globe.
Barcelona midfielder Alexia Putellas also won the Women's Ballon d'Or, adding another prestigious individual honor to her career.
The ceremony highlighted the dominance of Spanish players, with Barcelona players dominating the other major categories.
The Ballon d'Or is widely seen as the most prestigious award in football, with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo having won it 13 times between them since the turn of the century.
What this adds
The Ballon d'Or has seen several changes over the years, including the introduction of a women's award in 2018.
What's confirmed
- Kane's victory marks a significant milestone for English football, as he is only the fifth Englishman to win the Ballon d'Or since its inception in 1956.
- The award ceremony took place at the London Palladium, with Kane receiving the trophy from Brazilian legend Ronaldo Nazário.
- Kane's emotional speech was met with cheers from the crowd, who chanted his name in support.
- Kane's win comes after a sensational campaign with Bayern Munich, where he has continued to showcase his exceptional skills.
- The Ballon d'Or, established in 1956 by France Football magazine, was initially awarded to the best European player until 1995, when it expanded to include all players based in Europe.
- In 2007, the award became a worldwide competition, recognizing the best players from clubs across the globe.
- Barcelona midfielder Alexia Putellas also won the Women's Ballon d'Or, adding another prestigious individual honor to her career.
- The ceremony highlighted the dominance of Spanish players, with Barcelona players dominating the other major categories.
- The Ballon d'Or is widely seen as the most prestigious award in football, with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo having won it 13 times between them since the turn of the century.
What's still developing
- England World Cup winner Bobby Charlton did it in 1966, and that came after Stanley Matthews won the inaugural prize a decade earlier - handed what began life as the European Footballer of the Year award in 1956.
- Harry Kane, England's great talisman and captain, is the first to claim football's grandest individual accolade in 25 years after a sensational campaign in Bayern Munich colours - and only the fifth Englishman to ever do so.
- 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.
- The 33-year-old was emotional during his speech, cheered onto the stage by chants of “Harry, Harry” from a home crowd.
- 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.
- “I don’t know what to say, too many things. Congrats to all the nominees, congrats to all the winners,” Putellas said in her acceptance speech on stage.
- 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.
- Lamine Yamal was among the first winners announced, claiming the Men’s Young Talent of the Year award for the third consecutive season.
- 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.
- 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.