Harry Kane wins Ballon d’Or 2026, becomes fifth English player to win the trophy

Harry Kane is the fifth Englishman to win the Ballon d’Or, after Sir Stanley Matthews, Bobby Charlton, Kevin Keegan and Michael Owen. | Photo Credit: AP

England and Bayern Munich forward Harry Kane won the 2026 Ballon d’Or, becoming the first English player in two decades to win the iconic trophy.

Kane won the Bundesliga, the DFB Pokal and the German Super Cup with Bayern last season, and helped England finish third in the FIFA World Cup earlier this year. The 33-year-old had 78 goals and 10 assists for the club and country last season, winning the European Golden Shoe.

“Being here in London, seeing all the fans and family, it’s a special occasion. I’m soaking it all in . . . I look back at last season, and it was my best season for sure,” Kane said at the red carpet before the ceremony.

“I won three trophies with Bayern Munich and went really close to winning the Champions League and the World Cup. There were highs and lows. I’m extremely proud to have won those trophies and played the games that I have.”

The former Tottenham Hotspur star is the fifth Englishman to win the Ballon d’Or, after Sir Stanley Matthews, Bobby Charlton, Kevin Keegan and Michael Owen. Owen was the last Englishman to lift the Golden Ball in 2001.

The award is also more iconic because it was given in London where Kane grew up, and the city where the ceremony was held was shifted to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the award, with Sir Matthews winning the inaugural one.