Harry Kane wins 2026 Ballon d'Or; Alexia Putellas takes women's award

Summary

England striker Harry Kane of Bayern Munich won the 2026 Ballon d'Or, becoming the first Englishman to win the award in 25 years, since Michael Owen in 2001. Kylian Mbappé finished second and Lamine Yamal third in the voting. Spain's Alexia Putellas won the women's Ballon d'Or, her third women's award. The ceremony was held in London for the first time, and fans packed the streets outside the London Palladium. Kane's win followed a prolific, record-breaking season.

Timeline

1. Al Jazeera

   26 Oct 2026, 17:00 UTCSource ↗

   Al Jazeera's live blog reported that Kane became England's first Ballon d'Or winner in 25 years after a prolific season, with updates from the award ceremony.

2. Al Jazeera

   26 Oct 2026, 23:25 UTCSource ↗

   Al Jazeera reported that Bayern Munich striker Kane became the first Englishman to win the Ballon d'Or in 25 years, since Michael Owen in 2001, and that Alexia Putellas took the women's award.

3. The Japan Times

   27 Oct 2026, 01:29 UTCSource ↗

   The Japan Times reported that Kane was crowned Ballon d'Or winner, the first Englishman to win the award in 25 years after Michael Owen won it in 2001, while Putellas won the women's award.

4. NPR

   27 Oct 2026, 06:30 UTCSource ↗

   NPR reported that Kane became the first Englishman in 25 years to win the Ballon d'Or, that Kylian Mbappé followed him in the voting, that Putellas won her third women's Ballon d'Or, and that fans packed the streets near the London Palladium.

5. Africanews

   27 Oct 2026, 07:25 UTCSource ↗

   Africanews reported that Kane became the first English player in 25 years to win the Ballon d'Or, beating Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal.

6. France 24

   27 Oct 2026, 08:17 UTCSource ↗

   France 24 reported that Kane won the 2026 Ballon d'Or, with Mbappé second ahead of Lamine Yamal, and that the award was presented in London for the first time.

7. France 24

   27 Oct 2026, 12:37 UTCSource ↗

   France 24 reported that Kane completed his long quest for football's highest individual honour on Monday, October 26, after a record-breaking season, and that Putellas claimed the women's award.