Kane scoops first Ballon d'Or after pipping Yamal, Mbappe
Harry Kane edged out Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal to claim the 2026 men's Ballon d'Or, becoming the first English winner since Michael Owen in 2001. Alexia Putellas secured the women's award for a record-equalling third time.
Confusion had surrounded the announcement earlier on Monday, when an article declaring Kane the winner appeared on the award's website ahead of the delayed ceremony. Similar pieces naming Mbappe and Yamal were also published inadvertently before being taken down.
At the ceremony in London, it was Kane who took home the trophy, rewarded for a remarkable 2025-26 season that also earned him the men's Gerd Muller Trophy.
- 61
- Goals in all club competitions in 2025-26
- +19
- Goals ahead of any other player in Europe's big-five leagues
- 73
- Goals for club and country last season
Kane's club tally was the highest in a single season since Cristiano Ronaldo also scored 61 for Real Madrid in 2014-15. He also helped England finish third at the World Cup.
Real Madrid's Mbappe finished second in the Ballon d'Or voting, with Yamal third. Spain's World Cup-winning captain Rodri took fourth place, ahead of Lionel Messi in fifth.
Yamal's third Kopa award comes with a tribute to Cubarsi
Barcelona and Spain featured prominently across the awards, with Yamal winning the Kopa Trophy for the third consecutive year.
The teenager recorded 24 goals and 17 assists in all competitions in 2025-26. His 41 goal involvements were 19 more than any other teenager in Europe's big-five leagues, helping Barcelona win LaLiga and the Supercopa de Espana.
Having won Euro 2024 with Spain, Yamal added the World Cup title and became the first player to appear in both a European Championship final and a World Cup final as a teenager.
He beat Barcelona team-mate Pau Cubarsi, the World Cup's Young Player of the Tournament, to the Kopa award, but used his acceptance speech to argue that the defender deserved it.
“I would have liked to see my team-mate Cubarsi here because I think this prize should have been for him. He has been playing at an excellent level for some time.”
“It is an honour to be here and receive this prize,” Yamal said.
“This is my third year up here for this prize. I would like to thank my club and my national team. Speaking about this one specifically, this one should have been for Cubarsi.”
Spain's World Cup triumph also brought recognition for Luis de la Fuente and Unai Simon. De la Fuente won the men's Johan Cruyff Trophy after guiding La Roja to their second world title and a 42-match unbeaten run in all competitions, the longest by any European or South American team.
Simon claimed the men's Yashin Trophy after conceding just once in Spain's eight World Cup matches, the fewest goals allowed in a World Cup-winning campaign.
Putellas makes it three as Barcelona dominate
Former Barcelona captain Putellas, who now plays for London City Lionesses, won her third women's Ballon d'Or. She became the second woman to reach that total, matching the record set by Aitana Bonmati last year.
Quadruple winners Barcelona collected a string of honours. Vicky Lopez retained the women's Kopa Trophy after leading all teenagers across Europe's big-five women's leagues in both goals, with 10, and assists, with nine, in 2025-26.
Pere Romeu won the women's Johan Cruyff Trophy after leading Barcelona to the Liga F title with 29 wins from 30 games and a goal difference of +121.
Cata Coll received the women's Yashin Trophy for her contribution to the quadruple, having conceded six goals in 17 league appearances and kept 11 clean sheets. Barcelona were also named women's Club of the Year.
Paris Saint-Germain took the men's Club of the Year award ahead of Arsenal, whom they defeated in the Champions League final to secure a second consecutive title.
Pachuca striker Charlyn Corral won the women's Gerd Muller Trophy, becoming the first Mexican player to receive an award at the Ballon d'Or ceremony.
2026 Ballon d'Or winners
| Award | Winner |
|---|---|
| Men's Ballon d'Or | Harry Kane |
| Women's Ballon d'Or | Alexia Putellas |
| Men's Johan Cruyff Trophy | Luis de la Fuente |
| Women's Johan Cruyff Trophy | Pere Romeu |
| Men's Kopa Trophy | Lamine Yamal |
| Women's Kopa Trophy | Vicky Lopez |
| Men's Yashin Trophy | Unai Simon |
| Women's Yashin Trophy | Cata Coll |
| Men's Gerd Muller Trophy | Harry Kane |
| Women's Gerd Muller Trophy | Charlyn Corral |
| Men's Club of the Year | Paris Saint-Germain |
| Women's Club of the Year | Barcelona |
