Harry Kane wins 2026 Ballon d’Or, ending England’s 25-year wait

Harry Kane won the 2026 Men’s Ballon d’Or at the ceremony in London on 26 October. Bayern Munich’s striker finished ahead of Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal.

He became the first English winner of the men’s award since Michael Owen in 2001, ending a 25-year wait.

Kane scored 73 goals for club and country in the 2025/26 season and also received the Gerd Müller Trophy as the leading goalscorer on the same evening. His total comprised 61 goals for Bayern and 12 for England.

The result also carried historical significance for Bayern. Not since Karl-Heinz Rummenigge’s 1981 triumph had the award gone to a player representing the Munich club. For Kane, the evening marked a milestone combining exceptional scoring output with the consistency of a long career.

Haber / Barış Öztürk