Bayern Munich striker beats Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal to become the first Englishman to win the award since Michael Owen in 2001.
Tamrah News Desk | October 27, 2026
Harry Kane wins Ballon d’Or honours for the first time after the England captain beat Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal at the London Palladium on Monday, October 26. ESPN reported that the Bayern Munich forward became the first Englishman in 25 years to take football’s top individual prize, after scoring 73 goals for club and country last season.
France Football organises the award, and 100 journalists vote on it, ESPN said, with each ranking ten players from a shortlist of 30. The Ballon d’Or 2026 winner is the fifth English recipient after Stanley Matthews, Bobby Charlton, Kevin Keegan and Michael Owen, according to The Sporting News. Read more in our Tamrah News football coverage.
A Delayed Night at the London Palladium
ESPN reported that the official Ballon d’Or website published articles naming Kane, Yamal and Mbappe as winners hours before the ceremony. The event then started 30 minutes late, at 8.30 pm, and Kane collected the trophy just over two hours later to loud chants of his name. Yahoo Sports said Brazilian great Ronaldo presented the award. Fox Sports reported that the gala moved from Paris to London this year to mark 70 years since Matthews won the first prize.
Ballon d’Or 2026 Results and Final Rankings
SB Nation reported that the top five was Kane, Mbappe, Yamal, Rodri and Lionel Messi. The Ballon d’Or 2026 results mark a sharp rise for Kane, who finished 13th in 2025 despite scoring 41 goals for Bayern Munich, Goal reported at the time.
ESPN said Mbappe became the leading scorer in World Cup history this summer with 22 goals, while Yamal won the tournament with Spain. The Sporting News reported that Yamal also took the Kopa Trophy for the best young player for a third year in a row. Fox Sports said Messi, aged 39, reached the shortlist after guiding Argentina to the World Cup final. AFP described the field as one of the most open in recent memory.
How Kane’s 73 Goals Built the Case
FC Bayern said Kane scored 61 goals in 51 appearances in all competitions for the club, including a hat trick in the DFB Cup final. Bundesliga.com reported that Bayern won a second straight league title, with Kane finishing as top scorer for a third consecutive season. AFP reported that Bayern reached the Champions League semifinals before losing to Paris Saint-Germain. The same agency said the England captain scored six goals and set up one more as England finished third at the World Cup.
European Golden Shoe Adds to the Record
Bundesliga.com also reported that Kane won the European Golden Shoe for 2025/26 after scoring 36 league goals. His 72 points put him ahead of Erling Haaland on 54 and Mbappe on 50. It is his second European Golden Shoe after 2023/24, and the league said he received it at a ceremony in Munich on August 19.
What Did Kane Say After the Win?
“Wow, I’m almost speechless,”
Kane said on stage, Sky Sports reported. Yahoo Sports reported that the England captain thanked Tottenham supporters, and ESPN said he also thanked the voters. Before the ceremony, Bayern coach Vincent Kompany told AFP that Kane deserved the prize for the way he plays for the team.
Is Kane the First Englishman to Win the Ballon d’Or in 25 Years?
Yes. Sky Sports said Kane is the first English winner since Owen in 2001. AFP reported that the last Bayern Munich player to win was Karl Heinz Rummenigge in 1981. ESPN noted that Kane follows Ousmane Dembele, who won in 2025, and Rodri, who won in 2024.
Other Winners at the Ceremony
ESPN reported that Alexia Putellas won the women’s prize for a third time. Spain coach Luis de la Fuente was named Coach of the Year, and goalkeeper Unai Simon took the men’s goalkeeper award, ESPN said. Yahoo Sports reported that Bukayo Saka received the Socrates Award. See also our Bundesliga and Bayern Munich updates and England national team news.
For wider coverage visit our Sports News Category.
Conclusion
Harry Kane is the Ballon d’Or 2026 winner, and the Ballon d’Or 2026 results place Kylian Mbappe second and Lamine Yamal third. This report covers the Harry Kane Bayern Munich season, the first Englishman to win the Ballon d’Or since 2001, the European Golden Shoe, the Kane Mbappe Yamal ranking and the Ballon d’Or London ceremony.
