Harry Kane named world’s best striker at Ballon d’Or for second time

Harry Kane has been named the world’s best striker by France Football at the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony.

The Bayern Munich forward has won the award for the second time, having previously received it in 2024.

Kane scored 73 goals for club and country during the past season, earning recognition at a ceremony which is currently being held to honour the world’s best players in 2026.

“It has been a great year for me to score so many goals, and that is something I am proud of,” Kane said after collecting the award.

“It would have been impossible without my team-mates at Bayern and England, as well as my coaches.”

He added: “It was a great team effort. Without the help of those players and my wife, with whom we have done everything together, it would have been impossible.”

Kane shared the 2024 award with Kylian Mbappe after both players scored 52 goals.

His latest success means Kane is now joint-record holder for the most wins of the award, alongside former Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski.

The award was introduced in 2021, when Lewandowski won it while playing for Bayern Munich. Viktor Gyokeres was the most recent recipient, collecting the honour last year while at Sporting CP after scoring 63 goals.

Kane is also still in contention for the Ballon d’Or award for the world’s best player. He is guaranteed to finish among the top 10 in the overall standings.