The throne returns to English helm.. Kane succeeds Owen and is crowned with 2026 Ballon d'Or after a legendary season

Harry Kane gives Mbappé a taste of defeat and is crowned world's best

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The throne returns to English helm.. Kane succeeds Owen and is crowned with 2026 Ballon d'Or after a legendary season

Harry Kane has officially won the Ballon d'Or 2026 for the first time in his career becoming the first English player to claim football's most prestigious individual award since Michael Owen in 2001.

The 33 year old Bayern Munich striker received the award on Monday 26 October during the 70th Ballon d'Or ceremony at the London Palladium.

Kane's victory rewards an extraordinary 2025 /26 campaign in which he scored 73 goal in 65 appearance for club and country, helping Bayern Munich secure major domestic honours and England finish third at the FIFA World Cup.

The England captain overcame competition from several prominent candidates, including Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappé and Barcelona's Lamine Yamal, to secure the first Ballon d'Or of his career.

Harry Kane makes history with first Ballon d'Or triumph

Kane's victory ends a 25 year wait for an English winner of the award.

The last English footballer to claim the trophy was Michael Owen who received it in 2001 following his outstanding performances for Liverpool.

Kane becomes the fifth Englishman to win the Ballon d'Or joining Stanley Matthews, Bobby Charlton, Kevin Keegan and Owen.

The achievement also ends Bayern Munich's 45 year wait for a winner, with Karl-Heinz Rummenigge the German club's previous recipient in 1981.

The timing carries additional significance, with London hosting the ceremony for the first time to celebrate the award's 70th anniversary.

Matthews, the inaugural winner in 1956, was also English.

HARRY KANE IS THE NEW BALLON D'OR! #ballondor https://t.co/jEn8E1bLEF
— Ballon d'Or (@ballondor) October 26, 2026

Mbappé miss out as Kane takes the crown

Kane faced strong competition from Mbappé throughout the Ballon d'Or debate.

Mbappé impressed with his goalscoring performances for Real Madrid and France.

However, Kane ultimately received the highest recognition from the international journalists' voting panel.

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Khaled Hegazy |

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Journaliste sportif spécialisé dans la couverture du football et la création de contenu numérique, alliant expérience éditoriale et expertise des médias sociaux.