Harry Kane has won the 2026 Ballon d’Or, becoming the first Englishman since Michael Owen in 2001 to claim football’s most prestigious individual award. The Bayern Munich striker received the honour at
a ceremony held in London on October 26, capping a remarkable season for club and country.
Kane emerged ahead of a star-studded field that included Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal. His victory marks a significant milestone in a career defined by consistent goalscoring, leadership and perseverance at the highest level of football.
Harry Kane’s outstanding 2025-26 season
The England captain delivered exceptional numbers during the 2025-26 campaign, scoring 61 goals in 51 appearances for Bayern Munich. His contributions proved instrumental as the German giants secured a domestic league and cup double.
Kane also made his mark on the international stage, finishing the season with 73 goals across club and country, including his international appearances. He scored six goals at the FIFA World Cup, helping England reach the semi-finals.
His performances throughout the campaign strengthened his position among the world’s leading forwards and helped him secure the recognition that had eluded him earlier in his career.
First Englishman to win since Michael Owen
Kane’s triumph ends a 25-year wait for an English men’s Ballon d’Or winner. Owen was the last player from England to receive the award, having won it in 2001 following an outstanding year with Liverpool.
Despite establishing himself as one of the most prolific strikers of his generation, Kane had never previously finished higher than 10th in the Ballon d’Or rankings.
The 2026 award represents a defining moment for the 33-year-old, whose journey to the top has included years of development in English football before his move to Bayern Munich.
With this achievement, Kane joins an exclusive group of football legends to have lifted the iconic golden trophy, adding another historic chapter to his career.
