Ballon d’Or 2026: Kane, Putellas Win Top Honours as Yamal, PSG and Barcelona Claim Awards.

Ballon d’Or 2026: Kane, Putellas Win Top Honours as Yamal, PSG and Barcelona Claim Awards.

England captain and Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane and Spanish midfielder Alexia Putellas won the men’s and women’s Ballon d’Or awards respectively at the 2026 ceremony held at the London Palladium on Monday, October 26.

The ceremony, organised by France Football in collaboration with UEFA, marked the 70th anniversary of the Ballon d’Or, which was first awarded in 1956 to English footballer Sir Stanley Matthews.

Kane received the men’s award after recording 73 goals for club and country during the 2025/26 season, including 61 goals in 51 appearances for Bayern Munich.

His contributions helped Bayern secure the Bundesliga title, the DFB-Pokal and the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup. He also scored 14 goals in the UEFA Champions League as the German side reached the semi-finals.

The 33 year old finished ahead of France captain Kylian Mbappé of Real Madrid and Spain international Lamine Yamal of Barcelona.

Kane became the first Englishman to win the men’s Ballon d’Or since Michael Owen in 2001 and the fifth English recipient overall. Previous English winners were Matthews in 1956, Bobby Charlton in 1966, Kevin Keegan in 1978 and 1979, and Owen in 2001.

Kane also won the Gerd Müller Trophy for the leading male goalscorer, adding a second individual award to his recognition at the ceremony.

In the women’s category, Putellas secured her third Ballon d’Or Féminin after previous victories in 2021 and 2022.

The Spanish international became the first player to win the women’s award three times since its introduction in 2018. Her previous victories came during her time with Barcelona, where she established herself as one of the club’s leading midfielders.

The women’s Ballon d’Or has previously been won by Ada Hegerberg in 2018, Megan Rapinoe in 2019, Putellas in 2021 and 2022, and Aitana Bonmatí in 2023, 2024 and 2025. The 2020 edition was cancelled because of the exceptional circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.

Beyond the two main awards, Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal won the men’s Kopa Trophy, which recognises the best young player, while his Barcelona teammate Vicky López received the women’s award.

Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón, who plays for Athletic Club, won the men’s Yashin Trophy, while Barcelona goalkeeper Cata Coll received the women’s equivalent.

Spain national team coach Luis de la Fuente won the men’s Johan Cruyff Trophy, with Barcelona coach Pere Romeu receiving the women’s coaching award.

Paris Saint Germain was named Men’s Club of the Year, while Barcelona won the corresponding women’s award.

Mexico international Charlyn Corral of Pachuca received the women’s Gerd Müller Trophy for her goalscoring performances.

Arsenal and England winger Bukayo Saka was awarded the Sócrates Award, which recognises humanitarian work and social initiatives associated with football.