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Harry Kane becomes first Englishman to win the Ballon d’Or since 2001

Published 14:56 27 Oct 2026 GMT

Updated 14:57 27 Oct 2026 GMT

Lum Haliti
Harry Kane becomes first Englishman to win the Ballon d’Or since 2001

Homesport

It was a long time coming

Following a record-breaking season for Bayern Munich, England captain Harry Kane has won the 2026 Ballon d'Or.

Kane, 33, becomes the first Englishman since Michael Owen in 2001 to claim football's biggest individual prize.

The former Tottenham man collected the trophy at a ceremony in London, which confirmed him as the world's best footballer.

It ended a 25-year wait for an Englishman to win the prestigious award.

The Bayern Munich forward found the net 61 times from 51 club appearances last season alone.

This was a tally no other player at the club has ever reached in a single campaign.

When it comes to England, he helped the Three Lions reach the semi-finals of the World Cup.

How Harry Kane won the Ballon d'Or

Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe finished second in the vote, with Barcelona's Lamine Yamal third.

Kane called his win "a dream come true" as he picked up the trophy.

A landmark year for England

Kane's win comes in the same year he helped end England's long wait for a men's trophy.

Who else was nominated for the 2026 Ballon d'Or?

Kylian Mbappe, who plays for Real Madrid and France, finished second.

Lamine Yamal, of Barcelona and Spain, was third.

How many goals did Harry Kane score last season?

Kane found the net 61 times in 51 appearances for Bayern Munich.

This is a tally no other player at the club has matched in a single season. He also helped England reach the World Cup semi-finals.