Harry Kane has won the 2026 men’s Ballon d’Or, becoming the first English player in 25 years to receive football’s most prestigious individual honour.
The Bayern Munich striker was announced as the winner at the 70th edition of the Ballon d’Or ceremony, held at the London Palladium on Monday, October 26.
Harry Kane’s victory makes him the fifth Englishman to win the award, following Stanley Matthews, Bobby Charlton, Kevin Keegan and Michael Owen, who was the last English winner in 2001.
The 33-year-old earned the recognition after an outstanding 2025–26 season, recording approximately 73 goals and eight assists in 65 appearances for Bayern Munich and England.
At club level, Kane scored 61 goals in 51 appearances across all competitions, helping Bayern Munich secure the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal titles, alongside the German Supercup.
His performances in the Bundesliga were particularly impressive, with 36 goals in 31 appearances earning him another top-scorer award. He also scored 14 goals in 13 UEFA Champions League appearances.
Harry Kane carried his goalscoring form into international football, scoring 12 goals in 14 appearances for England, including six at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where the Three Lions finished third.
His Ballon d’Or triumph also marks the first time a Bundesliga-based player has won the award since Matthias Sammer in 1996, when he represented Borussia Dortmund.
In addition to the Ballon d’Or, Kane won the Gerd Müller Trophy, recognising his achievements as one of the season’s leading goalscorers.
During his acceptance speech, Kane expressed his gratitude to his teammates, coaches, family and supporters. He also acknowledged Tottenham Hotspur, the club where he established himself as one of Europe’s leading strikers, saying he would not be where he is today without them.