Kane claims Ballon d'Or after scoring 73 goals in 2025-26
The 33-year-old England captain outperformed Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal to secure football's top individual prize in London.
By Jessica Morgan ·
Harry Kane accepted the Ballon d'Or trophy in London on Monday, ending a 25 year wait for an English winner of the award. The Bayern Munich striker took home the prize after a campaign in which he recorded 73 goals for his club and country. This total marks a new benchmark for productivity in the modern era.
Kane finished the 2025-26 season with 61 goals in 51 appearances for Bayern across all competitions. His performance helped the German club secure a domestic league and cup double. As England captain, he added six more goals during the World Cup, leading his team to the semi finals.
Standing on the stage, Kane described his emotions as almost speechless. He noted that the London venue felt like a good omen for the evening. Kane thanked the voters for their support and congratulated the other nominees and winners in the room.
The award marks the first time since 2001 that a player from England has received the honor. Michael Owen was the previous English recipient. Kane is now the all-time leading scorer for the national team and holds the record for World Cup goals in his country's history.
The voting process involved a difficult choice for the panel. Kylian Mbappe broke scoring records at the World Cup, while Lamine Yamal guided Spain to victory in the same tournament. The voters selected Kane based on his consistent performance throughout the entire season rather than a single tournament run.
At 33 years old, Kane has added the individual accolade to a career that includes a move to Bayern in 2023. That transfer brought him the team trophies he sought after years at Tottenham Hotspur. His ability to score from various positions and act as a playmaker distinguished him from other candidates.
Alexia Putellas of Spain won the Ballon d'Or Féminin for the third time. She achieved a treble with Barcelona during the 2025-26 season and also won the Spanish Super Cup. Putellas left Barcelona in July after 14 years to join London City Lionesses in the Women's Super League.
Source: The Jerusalem Post
