Harry Kane Ballon d’Or win completed a long quest for football’s highest individual honour on Monday, after a record-breaking season that cemented his status as one of the game’s greatest goalscorers. The England captain collected the award at a ceremony in London, becoming the first Englishman to win it in 25 years, after Michael Owen won it in 2001, Dawn reported.
Kane said he was almost speechless on stage, and that being in London made the night extra special. He thanked everyone who voted for him, and said he could imagine the voting had been tough in a year of world-class contenders. He congratulated all the winners and nominees, and spoke of determination and hard work.
Harry Kane Ballon d’Or season in numbers
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Goals for Bayern in 2025-26 | 61 in 51 games |
| Goals for club and country in the season | 73 |
| Goals at the World Cup | 6 |
| England’s World Cup run | Semi-finals |
Kane’s move to Bayern in 2023 brought the team trophies that had long eluded him. In 2025-26, he coupled that success with goalscoring numbers that made him the leading candidate for the award. Bayern completed a domestic league and cup double, and Kane finished the campaign as Europe’s leading goalscorer.
His influence stretched far beyond club football. As England embarked on another attempt to end decades without a major trophy at the World Cup, Kane once again emerged as the team’s driving force. He scored six goals during the tournament and led England to the semi-finals, combining clinical finishing with the leadership and composure that have defined his international career.
The competition for this year’s award was fierce. Kylian Mbappe broke World Cup scoring records, and Lamine Yamal helped Spain to World Cup glory. Yet voters ultimately chose Kane, whose excellence lasted the entire season rather than a single tournament run.
From loans to the top of the game
The award represents the culmination of a remarkable journey. Kane once struggled to establish himself at Tottenham Hotspur as a youngster, and he was sent out on numerous loans. He developed into one of the most complete centre forwards of his generation, capable of scoring every type of goal while also functioning as a playmaker.
The Ballon d’Or has often rewarded players whose success was built on flair and spectacle. Kane’s triumph, by contrast, is a tribute to consistency, intelligence and productivity on an exceptional scale. Week after week, he delivered, and his numbers were almost impossible to ignore.
More importantly, those goals arrived in moments of genuine significance, helping Bayern collect trophies and driving England deep into the biggest tournament in the sport. At 33, Kane has finally claimed the game’s highest individual honour, adding a Ballon d’Or to a legacy that already places him among football’s greatest strikers as England’s all-time leading marksman and their record World Cup scorer.
Bayern’s season has continued into the new campaign, with the German club beating Freiburg 3-1 to stay top of the Bundesliga. The club has also dealt with disruption off the pitch, after head coach Vincent Kompany was reported stable in hospital.
Putellas takes the women’s award again
Spain midfielder Alexia Putellas won the Ballon d’Or Feminin for the third time. She was presented with the women’s award after winning the treble with Barcelona in the 2025-26 campaign, in addition to the Spanish Super Cup.
Putellas moved to Women’s Super League side London City Lionesses in July after 14 years at Barcelona. Her third win places her among the most decorated players in the history of the women’s award, and it came in the same season that Spain, led in part by Yamal on the men’s side, lifted the World Cup.
For Kane, the night in London closed a circle that began with loan spells and seasons without a team trophy. He leaves with the individual honour that had eluded him, and with a season’s numbers that will set the bar for the next winner.
Frequently asked questions
Who won the Ballon d’Or?
Harry Kane won the men’s Ballon d’Or, and Alexia Putellas won the Ballon d’Or Feminin for the third time.
How many goals did Kane score in 2025-26?
Kane scored 61 goals in 51 games for Bayern across all competitions, and 73 goals in total for club and country.
