Harry Kane Wins 2026 Ballon d’Or as Alexia Putellas Claims Women’s Award
Harry Kane and Alexia Putellas were crowned the winners of the 2026 Ballon d’Or awards in London on Monday, with several other football stars and clubs also receiving honours.
Kane, the Bayern Munich and England striker, won the men’s Ballon d’Or after an outstanding 2025/26 season, becoming the first Englishman to receive the prestigious award since Michael Owen in 2001.
The 33-year-old finished ahead of France captain Kylian Mbappé, who placed second, and Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, who came third.
Kane scored 61 goals in 51 appearances for Bayern across all competitions, helping the German club win the Bundesliga and domestic cup double. Including his international performances, he recorded 73 goals for club and country during the campaign.
Meanwhile, Spain midfielder Alexia Putellas won the women’s Ballon d’Or for the third time in her career. She was recognised after helping Barcelona enjoy a successful 2025/26 campaign before moving to English club London City Lionesses.
The ceremony took place at the London Palladium, marking the first time the Ballon d’Or awards were held in the British capital.
Full list of 2026 Ballon d’Or winners
Main awards
- Men’s Ballon d’Or: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)
- Women’s Ballon d’Or: Alexia Putellas (London City Lionesses)
Young player awards
- Men’s Kopa Trophy: Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
- Women’s Kopa Trophy: Vicky López (Barcelona)
Goalkeeper awards
- Men’s Yashin Trophy: Unai Simón (Athletic Club)
- Women’s Yashin Trophy: Cata Coll (Barcelona)
Coach awards
- Men’s Coach of the Year: Luis de la Fuente (Spain)
- Women’s Coach of the Year: Pere Romeu (Barcelona)
Club awards
- Men’s Club of the Year: Paris Saint-Germain (PSG)
- Women’s Club of the Year: Barcelona
Striker awards
- Men’s Gerd Müller Trophy: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)
- Women’s Gerd Müller Trophy: Charlyn Corral (Pachuca)
Humanitarian award
- Sócrates Award: Bukayo Saka (Arsenal and England)
Kane’s victory was one of the major highlights of the evening, while Putellas added another individual honour to her collection. Barcelona also enjoyed a strong night, with several of its players and its women’s team recognised among the winners.
The Ballon d’Or, established by France Football in 1956, celebrated its 70th anniversary with this year’s ceremony. The awards recognise outstanding individual performances and achievements in football.
About the Author
Karrel Hamutenya is a senior sports journalist at The Updated World, with more than five years of experience reporting on local sport in Namibia and international sports news.His work covers match reports, transfer updates, and exclusive interviews with athletes, providing fans with deeper insight into the game and the people behind it.
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