Kane scoops first Ballon d'Or after pipping Yamal, Mbappe

Harry Kane edged out Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal to claim the 2026 men's Ballon d'Or, with Alexia Putellas claiming her third award.

Kane was one of the front-runners to be named for the trophy, and he became the first Englishman since Michael Owen in 2001 to lift the prestigious award.

Confusion had swirled earlier on Monday when an article on the award's website claiming Kane had won the award went live ahead of the delayed ceremony, with similar pieces on Mbappe and Yamal also being published inadvertently before being taken down.

But at the star-studded event in London, it was Kane who took home the trophy after he scored 61 goals in all competitions in the 2025-26 season, 19 more than any other player in Europe's big-five leagues.

It was the most by a player in a single season since Cristiano Ronaldo also scored 61 for Real Madrid in 2014-15, while for club and country, Kane netted a superb 73 goals last season, having also helped England to a third-place finish at the World Cup.

Kane also took home the men's Gerd Muller Trophy after his astonishing goalscoring run.

Barcelona and Spain largely dominated the awards across both the men's and women's categories, with Lamine Yamal picking up the Kopa Award for the third straight year.

Yamal was involved in 41 goals in all competitions in 2025-26 (24 goals, 17 assists), 19 more than any other teenager in Europe's big five leagues as he helped Barcelona to win LaLiga and the Supercopa de Espana.

He also became the first player to play in both a European Championship and World Cup final as a teenager, having won Euro 2024 with La Roja two years ago before adding the world title to his collection.

He beat team-mate Pau Cubarsi, who was named Young Player of the Tournament at the World Cup, and upon receiving the award, Yamal said it should have been given to the defender.

"It is an honour to be here and receive this prize," Yamal said.

"I would have liked to see my team-mate Cubarsi here because I think this prize should have been for him. He has been playing at an excellent level for some time.

"This is my third year up here for this prize. I would like to thank my club and my national team. Speaking about this one specifically, this one should have been for Cubarsi."

The teenager finished third in the voting for the main award, also finishing behind Madrid's Kylian Mbappe. Lionel Messi finished in fifth, with World Cup-winning captain Rodri just above him in fourth.

Luis de la Fuente, meanwhile, won the Johan Cruyff Trophy as he was named men's coach of the year after leading Spain to the World Cup title.

He helped La Roja lift the trophy for the second time and has led Spain to a 42-match unbeaten streak in all competitions, the longest ever run by any European or South American team in history.

And their excellent defensive record at the tournament also meant Unai Simon was awarded the men's Yashin Trophy.

He conceded just one goal in Spain's eight World Cup games, the fewest goals conceded by any team in a World Cup-winning campaign.

Quadruple winners Barcelona swept the women's awards, with former captain Putellas, who now plays for the London City Lionesses, winning the women's Ballon d'Or for a record-equalling third time, becoming the second woman to do so after Aitana Bonmati last year.

Vicky Lopez won the women's Kopa Trophy for the second straight year after scoring the most goals (10) and registering the most assists (nine) of any teenager across the big-five women's leagues in Europe in 2025-26.

And their head coach, Pere Romeu, took the women's Johan Cruyff Trophy, having led the team to the 2025-26 Liga F trophy with 29 wins from 30 games, while registering a goal difference of +121.

Barcelona goalkeeper Cata Coll took home the women's Yashin Trophy for her part in the quadruple triumph, having conceded just six goals in 17 league games, while keeping 11 clean sheets.

So, it was no surprise when Barcelona were also named the women's Club of the Year.

Paris Saint-Germain took home the award for the men, pipping Arsenal – who they beat in the Champions League final for their second consecutive trophy.

Mexico and Pachuca striker Charlyn Corral clinched the women's Gerd Muller Trophy, becoming the first Mexican player to win an award at the Ballon d'Or ceremony.

Full List of Ballon d'Or Winners 2026

Men's Ballon d'Or – Harry Kane (Bayern Munich/England)

Women's Ballon d'Or – Alexia Putellas (Barcelona/Spain)

Men's Johan Cruyff Trophy – Luis de la Fuente (Spain)

Women's Johan Cruyff Trophy – Pere Romeu (Barcelona)

Men's Kopa Trophy – Lamine Yamal (Barcelona/Spain)

Women's Kopa Trophy – Vicky Lopez (Barcelona/Spain)

Men's Yashin Trophy – Unai Simon (Athletic Club/Spain)

Women's Yashin Trophy – Cata Coll (Barcelona/Spain)

Men's Gerd Muller Trophy – Harry Kane (Bayern Munich/England)

Women's Gerd Muller Trophy – Charlyn Corral (Pachuca/Mexico)