Ballon d’Or 2026: Spanish players sweep several awards

Spanish football dominated the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony on Monday, October 26, in London, winning 8 of the 13 awards presented. Alexia Putellas, Lamine Yamal, Unai Simón and several representatives of FC Barcelona were honored in different categories, despite England’s Harry Kane winning the men’s award.

FC Barcelona were among the evening’s biggest beneficiaries. The Catalan club and its representatives swept several individual trophies, while the Spanish national team was also recognized through its coach, Luis de la Fuente.

Alexia Putellas returns to the summit

Alexia Putellas won the women’s Ballon d’Or for the third time in her career, following her triumphs in 2021 and 2022. The former FC Barcelona captain, who now plays for London City Lionesses, succeeds Aitana Bonmatí, winner of the previous three editions.

The award extends Spain’s dominance in women’s football. Since 2021, a Spanish player has won the last six editions of the women’s Ballon d’Or: Putellas in 2021, 2022 and 2026, and Bonmatí in 2023, 2024 and 2025.

Lamine Yamal and Vicky López honored

Lamine Yamal retained the men’s Kopa Trophy, awarded to the best young player of the season. The FC Barcelona forward wins the award for the third consecutive year, a historic achievement in the category.

In the women’s category, Vicky López, also a Barça player, won the women’s Kopa Trophy. The Catalan club also saw its goalkeeper Cata Coll receive the women’s Yachine Trophy, while Unai Simón, goalkeeper for Athletic Bilbao and Spain, was named the best men’s goalkeeper.

On the sidelines, Luis de la Fuente won the Johan Cruyff Award for best men’s coach for his work in charge of the Spanish national team. Pere Romeu, coach of the FC Barcelona women’s team, received the equivalent award in the women’s category.

FC Barcelona were also named women’s club of the year, adding a collective award to their haul of individual trophies.

Harry Kane denies Spain the men’s Ballon d’Or

Spain’s dominance did not extend to the top men’s award. Harry Kane, Bayern Munich forward, won the 2026 Ballon d’Or ahead of Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal. The England international scored 73 goals in all competitions for his club and national team during the 2025-2026 season.

Kane also received the Gerd Müller Trophy, awarded to the top goalscorer. Paris Saint-Germain, for its part, were named men’s club of the year, while the Sócrates Award, dedicated to humanitarian and social commitment, went to Bukayo Saka.

With eight awards out of thirteen, Spain therefore made its mark on the London ceremony, notably thanks to FC Barcelona’s successes. Kane’s triumph prevented this dominance from extending to the men’s Ballon d’Or, but Spanish players and coaches occupied the spotlight throughout the evening.

Nouya M'toama

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Versatile journalist specializing in sports and political news, with extensive experience across radio, print and digital media platforms.

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