Harry Kane Wins the 2026 Ballon d'Or, Ending England's 25-Year Wait

London, not Paris, was chosen as the stage to crown the best soccer player on the planet. There was a specific reason, tied to a round number: it marked 70 years since Stanley Matthews' win, and organizers wanted to celebrate where English soccer's run in this race first began. The night couldn't have gone better for the hosts.

Harry Kane took home the 2026 Ballon d'Or and became the first Englishman to win it in 25 years. The Bayern Munich and England forward now joins a list shared by only four compatriots: Sir Stanley Matthews, Sir Bobby Charlton, Kevin Keegan and Michael Owen, the last Englishman to win it before him. Rarely do an award and its setting align so perfectly.

Behind Kane stood a thrilling podium: Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid and France) took second place, and Lamine Yamal (Barcelona and Spain) rounded out the top three. Further down, familiar names like Rodri, now at Barcelona, finished fourth, while Lionel Messi, representing Inter Miami, placed fifth. The full list ran to 29 players, with names like Dembele, Haaland, Vinicius and Bellingham scattered between the middle and tail end of the top ten.

Kane didn't leave London with just one trophy, either. He also picked up the Gerd Muller Award in the men's category, given to the tournament's top scorer. A perfect double for the English captain.

Putellas, Back on Top

Alexia Putellas (Barcelona and Spain) claimed her third women's Ballon d'Or, confirming once again that she remains one of the most decisive players in European soccer. The Spaniard topped the voting ahead of her club teammate Ewa Pajor, who finished second, and Khadija Shaw of Manchester City, who finished third. Barcelona's dominance in this edition was clear: as many as six of the club's players appeared among the top fifteen in the women's rankings.

The gala also handed out recognition for the sport's future stars. In the men's young talent category, Lamine Yamal took the trophy once again, ahead of teammate Pau Cubarsi. On the women's side, Vicky Lopez, also of Barcelona, won the equivalent award, with fellow Barcelona player Clara Serrajordi finishing as runner-up.

Among goalkeepers, Unai Simon (Athletic Club and Spain) was named the year's best men's goalkeeper, while Cata Coll, also a product of Spanish soccer and now at Barcelona, took home the women's award.

The team awards held few surprises either. Barcelona was named Women's Club of the Year, and Paris Saint-Germain took the men's equivalent. On the sidelines, Pere Romeu won best women's coach for his work leading Barcelona, and Luis de la Fuente, Spain's national team manager, was named best men's coach.

Finally, the Socrates Award, which honors a player's social commitment, went to Bukayo Saka of Arsenal and the England national team, one more nod to a night that finally had a British accent from start to finish.