England captain Harry Kane has won the men’s Ballon d’Or, becoming the first Englishman in 25 years to claim football’s most prestigious individual award. The 33-year-old Bayern Munich striker beat Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal after an outstanding 2025-26 season.
Kane scored 73 goals in 65 appearances for club and country, also winning the European Golden Shoe and helping Bayern Munich secure three trophies. His performances throughout the campaign strengthened his case for the coveted individual honour.
Speaking ahead of the ceremony at London’s Palladium, Kane admitted feeling nervous, saying the experience differed from playing in a major match because the outcome was beyond his control. His victory marks England’s first men’s Ballon d’Or triumph since Michael Owen won the award in 2001.
