Harry Kane wins 2026 Ballon d’Or after prolific season with Bayern Munich

Harry Kane has been named the world’s best player for 2026 after winning the Ballon d’Or awarded by France Football.

The England captain was presented with the prize at a ceremony in London, held for the 70th edition of the award.

Kane scored 73 goals and provided eight assists in 65 appearances for Bayern Munich and England during the 2025-26 season. He was also named Europe’s top scorer, the Bundesliga’s leading scorer and the Bundesliga’s best player.

He helped Bayern Munich complete a domestic treble and won a bronze medal with England at the 2026 World Cup, scoring six goals during the tournament.

Kane is the first Englishman to win the Ballon d’Or since Michael Owen in 2001, and only the fifth English winner overall.

He is also the first player from the Bundesliga to receive the award since Karl-Heinz Rummenigge in 1981. Bayern Munich’s total number of Ballon d’Or wins has now risen to six, with Franz Beckenbauer winning twice, Rummenigge twice and Gerd Muller once.

The 25-year gap between Owen’s victory and Kane’s is the third-largest interval between winners from the same country. The biggest gap is the 64 years between Luis Suarez and Rodri, while the period between Eusebio’s success and Luis Figo’s was 35 years.

France Football is expected to announce the number of points Kane received in the voting.

‘This win is for all of us’

Kane said he was almost lost for words after receiving the award.

“I’m almost lost for words. Luckily, this list is here,” he said. “Thank you to France Football and to the Ballon d’Or for organising this fantastic event. Being here in London made it particularly special. It felt like a good omen for me tonight, so thank you very much.”

He also paid tribute to those who voted for him and the players he competed against.

“I thank everyone who voted for me. I imagine it was extremely difficult this year, with some amazing players I faced, some of my team-mates and some world-class players in the room tonight,” Kane added.

Kane thanked Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany, saying the competition within the squad had helped him improve.

“The way you push me, the way we compete, me against Dayot Upamecano in training every week, makes me a better player and makes me want to improve,” he said.

“To Kompany, I think he is at home or still in hospital. I wish you all the best and hope this has given you some energy.”

Kane also acknowledged former club Tottenham, where he joined the academy at the age of 11.

“I want to thank Tottenham. I wouldn’t be where I am today without Tottenham,” he said. “I was there from the age of 11 and the club and all the coaches helped me achieve my dreams. All those memories, the highs and lows, have led me to where I am today.”

“It is a huge honour to play for Bayern Munich. Representing you is a real privilege, and I am delighted to bring this trophy to Bayern Munich.”

Kane described the past year with England as special, despite not being perfect.

“To all my England team-mates, I repeat the same thing. It has been a special year. It wasn’t a perfect year, but we had many good moments,” he said.

“We built a strong bond together and a spirit of solidarity, in the way we trained and played, and even in the hotel during the World Cup. It was a great honour to be your captain and to lead you. That makes me extremely proud. This victory is for all of us.”

2026 Ballon d’Or standings

1. Harry Kane – England – Bayern Munich 2. Kylian Mbappe – France – Real Madrid 3. Lamine Yamal – Spain – Barcelona 4. Rodri – Spain – Manchester City and Barcelona 5. Lionel Messi – Argentina – Inter Miami 6. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – Georgia – Paris Saint-Germain 7. Ousmane Dembele – France – Paris Saint-Germain 8. Erling Haaland – Norway – Manchester City 9. Michael Olise – France – Bayern Munich 10. Fabian Ruiz – Portugal – Paris Saint-Germain 11. Jude Bellingham – England – Real Madrid 12. Pau Cubarsi – Spain – Barcelona 13. Achraf Hakimi – Morocco – Paris Saint-Germain 14. Vitinha – Portugal – Paris Saint-Germain 15. Declan Rice – England – Arsenal 16. Ferran Torres – Spain – Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona 17. Vinicius Junior – Brazil – Real Madrid 18. Marc Cucurella – Spain – Real Madrid and Chelsea 19. Joao Neves – Portugal – Paris Saint-Germain 20. Willian Pacho – Ecuador – Paris Saint-Germain 21. Gabriel Magalhaes – Brazil – Arsenal 22. Lautaro Martinez – Argentina – Inter Milan 23. Nuno Mendes – Portugal – Paris Saint-Germain 24. Luis Diaz – Colombia – Bayern Munich 25. Marquinhos – Brazil – Paris Saint-Germain 26. Dayot Upamecano – France – Bayern Munich 27. Bruno Fernandes – Portugal – Manchester United 28. Julian Quinones – Mexico – Al-Qadsiah 29. William Saliba – France – Arsenal 30. Sadio Mane – Senegal – Al-Nassr