England international and Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane has won the 2026 Ballon d’Or, beating competitors including Kylian Mbappé, who did not win any award, and Lamine Yamal, who claimed the Best Young Player award for the third consecutive time.
The 70th edition of the prestigious awards ceremony took place on Monday night, October 26, 2026, at the London Palladium Theatre in London, United Kingdom.
The ceremony was hosted by football legend Thierry Henry, who finished second in the Ballon d’Or race in 2003 when Pavel Nedvěd won the award. Henry was joined by British journalist Kate Scott.
Following a musical performance by singer Jorja Smith, Lamine Yamal of FC Barcelona won the Kopa Trophy, awarded to the best player under the age of 21.
Yamal claimed the award for the third consecutive year, having also won it in 2024 and 2025. However, he said the prize should have gone to his teammate Pau Cubarsí. In the women’s category, Victoria López Serrano Félix, who plays for FC Barcelona Women, won the award for the second time.
The evening’s main award, the Ballon d’Or, went to 33-year-old Harry Edward Kane. Kylian Mbappé finished second, while Lamine Yamal placed third.
Kane became the fifth English player to win the Ballon d’Or, following Stanley Matthews, Bobby Charlton, Kevin Keegan and Michael Owen. He scored 73 goals across all competitions during the 2025–26 season.
The Women’s Ballon d’Or was awarded to Alexia Putellas, who plays for London City Lionesses and the Spain women’s national team. It was her third time winning the award, following her victories in 2021 and 2022.
Spain national team coach Luis de la Fuente was named Men’s Coach of the Year, while Pere Romeu, head coach of FC Barcelona Women, won the award in the women’s category.
Athletic Bilbao and Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón won the Yashin Trophy for Best Goalkeeper. In the women’s category, the award went to Cata Coll of FC Barcelona Women and the Spain women’s national team.
Arsenal and England forward Bukayo Saka used his acceptance of the Socrates Award, which recognises outstanding humanitarian work, to share the story of a Rwandan child who received treatment for blindness through BigShoe, a charitable organisation associated with the footballer.
Saka recounted the child’s story to those attending the ceremony. Through his charitable foundation, BigShoe, he supports children in need, particularly by helping them access healthcare.
Paris Saint-Germain was named Men’s Club of the Year, while Spain’s FC Barcelona won the Women’s Club of the Year award.
Harry Kane, who plays for Bayern Munich and England, also won the Gerd Müller Trophy, awarded to the best striker. In the women’s category, the trophy went to Charlyn Corral of CF Pachuca.
KIGALI TIMES