Harry Kane has won the 2026 Ballon d'Or. The Bayern Munich striker was named the best men's player in the world at the 70th ceremony, held at the London Palladium on Monday, and is the first English winner since Michael Owen in 2001, CBS Sports reported. He is the fifth Englishman to win it, after Stanley Matthews, Bobby Charlton, Kevin Keegan and Owen, according to The Sporting News.

Kane beat a field that included Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal, CBS Sports and NBC Sports reported. Before the ceremony CBS Sports described Kane as the widely considered frontrunner, while sources close to Mbappé and Yamal said both seemed confident. ArenaBulletin's power rankings had Kane as the favourite five weeks out.

How the top ten finished

The Telegraph reported the final men's top ten as Kane, Mbappé, Yamal, Rodri, Lionel Messi, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Ousmane Dembélé, Erling Haaland, Michael Olise and Fabián Ruiz. The vote margin was not given in the reports we checked.

The ballot is cast by one journalist from each of the top 100 men's nations in the FIFA rankings, and each voter ranks ten players. Individual performance counts first, then collective performance, then fair play, according to The Telegraph. The judging period ran from 3 August 2025 to 19 July 2026, and in it Kane scored 73 goals, 61 for Bayern and 12 for England, and made eight assists in 65 games, the same report said.

Kane took Striker of the Year first

Kane collected the Men's Striker of the Year award earlier in the evening and spoke on stage, CBS Sports reported.

This was an incredible year for me. This has been the best season of my career.

Harry Kane, on stage after winning Striker of the Year, as reported by CBS Sports

Owen, the last Englishman to win the award, was on stage to announce the winner, according to CBS Sports. The ceremony moved from its usual home in Paris to London to mark its 70th anniversary and to honour Sir Stanley Matthews, who won the first Ballon d'Or in 1956.

What Kane said in his speech

Kane opened by saying he was almost speechless, The Telegraph reported, and tied the venue to the result.

It being in London is extra special and felt like a good omen.

Harry Kane, accepting the Ballon d'Or, as reported by The Telegraph

He then thanked the voters, his Bayern team-mates and staff, and England's squad, dedicating the award to them, The Independent reported. He also thanked his former club Tottenham and a long list of former coaches.

I would not be where I am today without Tottenham.

Harry Kane, accepting the Ballon d'Or, as reported by The Telegraph

He ended with a message to his family and to young players.

To my kids, you are the reason I do this.

Harry Kane, accepting the Ballon d'Or, as reported by The Telegraph

Learn through resilience, determination and self-belief.

Harry Kane, to young players, as reported by The Telegraph

Sky Sports News posted the full speech on YouTube.

Spain and Barcelona took most of the other prizes

Alexia Putellas won the women's Ballon d'Or for the third time, after 2021 and 2022. Yamal took the Men's Young Talent award for the third year in a row and told the audience that Pau Cubarsí deserved it, CBS Sports reported. Unai Simón was named Men's Goalkeeper of the Year, and Luis de la Fuente was named Men's Coach of the Year after Spain won the World Cup.

Paris Saint-Germain won the Men's Club of the Year trophy, and Arsenal's Bukayo Saka won the Socrates Award, which recognises humanitarian work by a footballer.