Harry Kane and Alexia Putellas have won the 2026 Men’s and Women’s Ballon d’Or awards, respectively, at a prestigious ceremony held at the London Palladium Theatre on October 26, 2026. Kane became the first Englishman since Michael Owen in 2001 to win the men’s award, while Spanish midfielder Putellas secured her third Women’s Ballon d’Or after previous victories in 2021 and 2022.
The 70th edition of football’s most prestigious individual awards celebrated outstanding performances across men’s and women’s football during the 2025–26 season.
Harry Kane Wins the 2026 Men’s Ballon d’Or
- England captain and Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane won the 2026 Men’s Ballon d’Or after an exceptional season for club and country.
- The 33-year-old forward finished ahead of France’s Kylian Mbappé and Spain’s Lamine Yamal in the final rankings. His remarkable goal-scoring record and contribution to Bayern Munich’s domestic success helped him secure football’s most prestigious individual honour.
- Kane scored 73 goals across club and international competitions during the 2025–26 campaign. His performances helped Bayern Munich retain their Bundesliga crown and secure a domestic treble.
- He also finished as the Bundesliga’s leading scorer for the third consecutive season and scored 14 goals in the UEFA Champions League as Bayern reached the semi-finals.
- Kane’s victory is particularly significant for English football. He became the fifth Englishman to win the men’s Ballon d’Or, following Sir Stanley Matthews, Sir Bobby Charlton, Kevin Keegan and Michael Owen.
- Michael Owen was the previous English winner in 2001, making Kane’s achievement a historic moment for the country.
Alexia Putellas Wins Her Third Women’s Ballon d’Or
- Spanish midfielder Alexia Putellas won the 2026 Women’s Ballon d’Or, adding another prestigious individual honour to her collection.
- The 32-year-old previously won the award in 2021 and 2022. Her latest victory reinforces her position among the most accomplished players in women’s football.
- Putellas finished ahead of Poland’s Ewa Pajor and Jamaica’s Khadija Shaw in the final rankings.
- During Barcelona’s successful 2025–26 UEFA Women’s Champions League campaign, Putellas scored seven goals and provided seven assists. She was also named the competition’s Player of the Season.
- Although she joined London City Lionesses ahead of the 2026–27 season, her Ballon d’Or victory recognised her outstanding performances during the preceding season.
- Her achievement also continued Spain’s remarkable run in the women’s category, with a Spanish player winning the award for the sixth consecutive year.
Ballon d’Or 2026: Men’s and Women’s Top Three
The leading positions in both categories featured some of the biggest names in international football.
| Category | Rank | Player | Country | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men’s Ballon d’Or | 1 | Harry Kane | England | Bayern Munich |
| Men’s Ballon d’Or | 2 | Kylian Mbappé | France | Real Madrid |
| Men’s Ballon d’Or | 3 | Lamine Yamal | Spain | Barcelona |
| Women’s Ballon d’Or | 1 | Alexia Putellas | Spain | Barcelona/London City Lionesses |
| Women’s Ballon d’Or | 2 | Ewa Pajor | Poland | Barcelona |
| Women’s Ballon d’Or | 3 | Khadija Shaw | Jamaica | Manchester City |
Source: UEFA’s official 2026 Ballon d’Or coverage.
Ballon d’Or 2026: Complete List of Major Award Winners
The London ceremony recognised achievements across several categories, including young talent, goalkeeping, coaching, club performance and humanitarian work.
| Award | Winner | Country/Team |
|---|---|---|
| Men’s Ballon d’Or | Harry Kane | England/Bayern Munich |
| Women’s Ballon d’Or | Alexia Putellas | Spain/Barcelona and London City Lionesses |
| Men’s Young Talent of the Year | Lamine Yamal | Spain/Barcelona |
| Women’s Young Talent of the Year | Vicky López | Spain/Barcelona |
| Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year | Unai Simón | Spain/Athletic Club |
| Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year | Cata Coll | Spain/Barcelona |
| Men’s Coach of the Year | Luis de la Fuente | Spain national team |
| Women’s Coach of the Year | Pere Romeu | Barcelona |
| Men’s Club of the Year | Paris Saint-Germain | France |
| Women’s Club of the Year | Barcelona | Spain |
| Men’s Striker of the Year | Harry Kane | England/Bayern Munich |
| Women’s Striker of the Year | Charlyn Corral | Mexico/CF Pachuca |
| Sócrates Award | Bukayo Saka | England/Arsenal |
The results highlighted the continued strength of Spanish football, with Barcelona players and coaching staff winning several awards. Harry Kane’s double recognition as Men’s Ballon d’Or winner and Men’s Striker of the Year was another major highlight.
Why Is Harry Kane’s Ballon d’Or Victory Significant?
- Harry Kane’s victory represents a major milestone for English football.
- First, he ended a 25-year wait for an English winner of the men’s award. Michael Owen had previously won the Ballon d’Or in 2001.
- Second, Kane’s success reflected his exceptional consistency in front of goal. His 73 goals across club and international competitions demonstrated his ability to perform at the highest level throughout the season.
- Third, his achievement recognised the importance of his contribution to Bayern Munich’s domestic success. His goal-scoring performances helped the German club maintain its dominance in the Bundesliga.
- Kane’s award also adds a new milestone to a career that has established him as one of England’s most prolific modern strikers.
Why Is Alexia Putellas’ Third Ballon d’Or Important?
- Alexia Putellas’ third Women’s Ballon d’Or highlights her sustained excellence in women’s football.
- Her victories in 2021 and 2022 established her among the leading players of her generation. Her 2026 triumph further strengthened that legacy.
- Her contribution to Barcelona’s European campaign was particularly important. Seven goals and seven assists in the Women’s Champions League demonstrated her influence as both a scorer and a creator.
- Putellas’ award also reflects Spain’s continued success in women’s football, with Spanish players dominating the Women’s Ballon d’Or in recent years.
What Is the Ballon d’Or?
- The Ballon d’Or is an annual individual football award recognising outstanding performances by male and female players.
- France Football introduced the men’s award in 1956.
- The Women’s Ballon d’Or was introduced in 2018 to recognise excellence in women’s football.
- The awards recognise individual achievements and performances during the relevant evaluation period. They are separate from team trophies such as the FIFA World Cup, UEFA Champions League and domestic league titles.
- The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony took place at the London Palladium Theatre in London, England, on October 26, 2026.
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