Harry Kane Becomes First Englishman in 25 Years to Win the Ballon d’Or
Kane became the first Englishman to win the prize in 25 years after scoring 73 goals and helping Bayern Munich to domestic silverware.
- On Monday, Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane won the 2026 Ballon d'Or, becoming the first Englishman in 25 years to claim football's most prestigious individual award. Spanish midfielder Alexia Putellas secured the women's trophy for the third time at the London ceremony.
- Kane's victory follows a record-breaking 2025-26 season in which he netted 73 goals across 65 appearances for club and country. The England captain's goalscoring consistency helped Bayern Munich secure domestic titles, ending English football's quarter-century wait.
- At the London Palladium, Kane claimed the "Striker of the Year" award after scoring 61 goals in 51 matches for Bayern. "It was always about working hard," Kane said, reflecting on his clinical finishing that guided England to third place at the World Cup.
- Paris Saint-Germain retained the men's club of the year prize, while Barcelona were honored as the women's club of the year. Putellas, who moved to London City Lionesses in July after 14 years at Barcelona, added this trophy to her 2021 and 2022 wins.
- Reflecting on his journey from Tottenham Hotspur, the 33-year-old's achievement marks a defining moment for English football. Kane now stands alongside former winner Michael Owen, the last Englishman to claim the award in 2001, as one of Europe's most prolific centre-forwards.
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Ballon d’Or is crowning moment for Kane, true reflection of remarkable career
Harry Kane’s Ballon d’Or triumph is the crowning moment for a player whose trophy collection does not do justice to his remarkable talent and consistency. The Bayern Munich striker, 33, is the first Englishman to win football’s most coveted individual honour since Michael Owen in 2001. Kane’s numbers are staggering and the England captain appears to be improving with age, with 73 goals for club and country last season. In September he became the…
Sydney Morning Herald
England captain wins the Ballon d'Or
English captain and Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane is unveiled as the winner of the 2026 Ballon d'Or.
Harry Kane wins Ballon D'Or after record-breaking season; Putellas takes women's award
Harry Kane, the Bayern Munich and England striker, has won the Ballon d'Or, marking the first time an Englishman has received the award in 25 years. His victory follows a record-breaking season where he scored 61 goals for Bayern and led England to the World Cup semi-finals. The award recognises his consistent performance, intelligence, and prolific goalscoring ability throughout the season.
Ballon d’Or: Kane scored no fewer than 73 times for Bayern Munich and England last season. Alexia Putellas was named the best female footballer of…
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