England international and Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane has won the 2026 Ballon d’Or, beating several contenders, including Kylian Mbappé, who went home without an award, and Lamine Yamal, who claimed the Best Young Player award for the third consecutive time.
The 70th edition of the Ballon d’Or ceremony took place on Monday night, October 26, 2026, at the London Palladium Theatre in London, United Kingdom.
The event was hosted by football legend Thierry Henry, who finished second in the Ballon d’Or voting in 2003, when Pavel Nedvěd won the award. Henry was joined by British journalist Kate Scott.
Following a performance by singer Jorja Smith, FC Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal won the Kopa Trophy, awarded to the best player under the age of 21.
Yamal claimed the award for the third consecutive year, having also won it in 2024 and 2025. He said the award should have gone to his teammate Pau Cubarsí. In the women’s category, Victoria López Serrano Félix, who also plays for FC Barcelona Women, won the award for the second time.
The night’s biggest prize, the men’s Ballon d’Or, went to 33-year-old Harry Edward Kane. Kylian Mbappé finished second, while Yamal placed third.
Kane became the fifth English player to win the award, following Stanley Matthews, Bobby Charlton, Kevin Keegan and Michael Owen. He scored 73 goals across all competitions during the 2025/26 season.
The women’s Ballon d’Or was won by Alexia Putellas, who plays for London City Lionesses and the Spain women’s national team. It was her third time winning the award, following her victories in 2021 and 2022.
Spain national team coach Luis de la Fuente was named Men’s Coach of the Year after leading Spain to the 2026 World Cup title. Pere Romeu, who coaches FC Barcelona Women, won the award in the women’s category.
Athletic Bilbao and Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón won the Yashin Trophy for Best Goalkeeper. The women’s award went to Cata Coll, who plays for FC Barcelona Women and the Spain women’s national team.
Arsenal and England forward Bukayo Saka shared the story of a Rwandan child who received treatment for blindness through BigShoe, a charitable organisation associated with the footballer.
Saka received the Sócrates Award, which recognises outstanding contributions to humanitarian causes. Through his foundation, BigShoe, he told the story of the Rwandan child to those attending the ceremony.
Saka’s foundation supports children in various ways, particularly by helping them access healthcare.
Paris Saint-Germain was named Men’s Club of the Year, while Spain’s FC Barcelona won the Women’s Club of the Year award.
Bayern Munich and England striker Harry Kane and Charlyn Corral of Mexico’s women’s club CF Pachuca won the Gerd Müller Trophy, awarded to the best strikers in the men’s and women’s categories, respectively.
