Jakarta, ThedailyID — Harry Kane has won the 2026 Ballon d’Or, becoming the first Englishman to claim football’s prestigious individual award since Michael Owen in 2001. The Bayern Munich striker received the trophy at the London Palladium Theatre in London on Monday, October 26, 2026.
Kane finished ahead of Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid and France, who took second place. Barcelona and Spain forward Lamine Yamal finished third, according to the official rankings published by UEFA.
The victory marks a major milestone in Kane’s career. He becomes the fifth Englishman to win the award, following Stanley Matthews in 1956, Bobby Charlton in 1966, Kevin Keegan in 1978 and 1979, and Owen in 2001.
France Football created the Ballon d’Or in 1956. A panel of 100 journalists from around the world votes for the winner. The 2026 ceremony took place in London for the first time, marking the award’s 70th anniversary.
Kane’s remarkable scoring record helped secure the honour. He scored 73 goals in 65 appearances for Bayern Munich and England during the 2025-26 season. His performances helped Bayern win the Bundesliga, the DFB-Pokal and the German Super Cup.
He also helped England reach the semifinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The national team ultimately finished third in the tournament, according to England Football.
Kane’s success also earned him the Gerd Müller Trophy for the best men’s striker. His achievements across club and international football strengthened his case for the Ballon d’Or, putting him ahead of two leading rivals in Mbappe and Yamal.
The award adds another milestone to Kane’s career and ends a 25-year wait for an English winner. Owen was the last Englishman to receive the honour before Kane’s victory in London.
