Kane’s record-breaking season delivers first Ballon d’Or triumph

Harry Kane has won the 2026 men’s Ballon d’Or, ending England’s 25-year wait for the award and rewarding a season in which he produced record-breaking numbers for Bayern Munich and England. The 33-year-old striker finished ahead of Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal and Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé at a ceremony in London. The Guardian reported that his name was announced at the Palladium Theatre, while BBC Sport said Mbappé finished second and Yamal third.

Kane scored 61 goals in 51 club matches for Bayern last season, the highest single-season total in the German club’s history. Including England fixtures, his output rose to 73 goals and eight assists in 65 matches, according to BBC Sport. His domestic campaign included 36 Bundesliga goals, giving him a 17-goal margin over the next-highest scorer.

He added 14 goals in the Champions League and 10 in the German Cup, where he scored a hat-trick in Bayern’s 3-0 final victory over Stuttgart. He also scored in the German Super Cup. The prize came despite Bayern losing in the Champions League semi-finals and England reaching, but not winning, the World Cup semi-finals.

Kane did win the German double, which BBC Sport said more than doubled his career trophy total after he had previously won the Bundesliga. Kane told Dazn that he had experienced setbacks early in his career and had needed self-belief and determination to progress. His career began with loan spells at Leyton Orient and Millwall before he established himself at Tottenham, Bayern and England.

Bayern paid €100m up front for him three years ago, a fee now described by The Guardian as vindicated. Alexia Putellas won the women’s Ballon d’Or for a third time, representing London City Lionesses. Other honours included Yamal’s young talent award, Unai Simón’s men’s goalkeeper prize and Barcelona’s women’s club award.

Kane, meanwhile, remains England captain and has a home European Championship in his sights, according to The Guardian.