Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane beats Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal to the 2026 Ballon d’Or, while Lionel Messi finishes fifth. Alexia Putellas wins her third Women’s Ballon d’Or
Harry Kane won the 2026 Men’s Ballon d’Or on Tuesday, becoming the first Englishman in 25 years to claim football’s most prestigious individual award. The Bayern Munich striker finished ahead of Kylian Mbappé, who came second, and Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal, who secured third place. Lionel Messi finished fifth.
The 70th edition of the Ballon d’Or ceremony was held at the London Palladium, marking the first time the event took place in London. Kane’s victory caps a prolific season in which his goalscoring performances for Bayern Munich made him one of the leading contenders for the award.
Kane’s triumph ends England’s long wait for another winner since Michael Owen claimed the honour in 2001. The result also recognises a season in which Kane combined individual scoring records with domestic silverware for Bayern.
The final top 10 featured Manchester City midfielder Rodri in fourth place, ahead of Messi in fifth. Paris Saint-Germain’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia finished sixth, followed by Ousmane Dembélé in seventh, Erling Haaland in eighth, Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise in ninth and Fabián Ruiz in tenth.
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