Harry Kane won the Ballon d’Or for the first time and Alexia Putellas claimed her third women’s award as the 2026 winners were announced in London on Monday.
Bayern Munich and England striker Kane became the first Englishman to receive the men’s honour since Michael Owen in 2001, finishing ahead of Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal.
The 33-year-old scored 61 goals in 51 appearances for Bayern last season, helping them win the Bundesliga and German Cup. He also captained England to third place at the World Cup.
Kane also collected the Gerd Muller Trophy for the leading men’s goalscorer, having scored 73 times for club and country during the period considered for the awards.
Putellas, meanwhile, drew level with former Barcelona teammate Aitana Bonmati on a record three women’s Ballon d’Or wins, having previously received the award in 2021 and 2022.
The Spain midfielder helped Barcelona win four trophies last season, including the Champions League, before joining London City Lionesses in July.
Former teammate Ewa Pajor finished second in the women’s voting, with Manchester City striker Khadija Shaw third.
Barcelona and Spain were also well represented among the other winners at the London Palladium.
Barcelona pair Yamal and Vicky Lopez retained the men’s and women’s Kopa Trophies for the best young players, winning the awards for the third and second consecutive years respectively.
Spain goalkeepers Unai Simon and Cata Coll took the men’s and women’s Yashin Trophies for the best goalkeepers.
Spain’s Luis de la Fuente was named men’s coach of the year, with Barcelona’s Pere Romeu taking the women’s honour.
Mexico and Pachuca forward Charlyn Corral won the women’s striker award, while Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona were named men’s and women’s clubs of the year respectively.
Arsenal and England winger Bukayo Saka received the Socrates Award, which recognises players’ humanitarian and social work.
