HARRY KANE has been named as the winner of the 2026 Ballon d’Or.

The Bayern Munich star had an incredible year for club and country last season, scoring 61 times in 51 appearances for the German giants alone.

And the star striker got incredibly emotional as he accepted the prestigious honour with his voice cracking as he delivered a powerful speech paying tribute to his Bayern and England team-mates.

Kane said: “I’m almost speechless, luckily I have this list. First of all thank you to French football, the Ballon d’Or this amazing event being in London as well looked a good omen for me so thank you very much.

“Thank you to everyone who voted for me. I can imagine it was really tough this year, [with] some of the incredible players I was up against – some of my team-mates [and] world class players in the room tonight.

“Congratulations to all the winners, all the nominees, an impressive showing of what hard work and determination can achieve, so well done. My Bayern Munich team-mates – I’ve got a few here tonight, without you it wouldn’t have been possible.

“The way you guys have pushed me, the way we compete, against Upa [Dayot Upamecano] in training every week, it just makes me want to improve.

“Vincent [Kompany], I know he’s at home, still in the hospital so wishing him very well. Hope this has given you a bit of energy and all the staff, the way we train, the way you push us you’re a credit to yourself.

“Since I’ve been with you I’ve improved as a player and improved as a person, as a leader, through your leadership. To the Bayern Munich chairman, presidents, I know some of you couldn’t be here tonight but it’s an honour to play for Bayern Munich. To represent you is a real privilege so I’m glad to be bringing this trophy back to Bayern Munich for sure.

“To all of my England team-mates, Bukayo [Saka]’s here representing England and, again just saying, we had a special year. It wasn’t a perfect year but we had a lot of good moments, built a great bond together, a lot of togetherness in the way we trained and the way we played.

“The togetherness in the hotel and the World Cup. Yeah it was truly an honour to captain you, it makes me extremely proud. This one is for all of us. To Thomas Tuchel and the staff, again – the leadership, the way you drive us, the way you push standards is something to be admired. To represent the England badge the way you do.”

Kane didn’t forget Tottenham, where he burst onto the scene in 2013 and went on to carve up a glittering ten-year stint that saw him becoming the club’s record goalscorer.

The Spurs legend added: “I wanna say thank you to Tottenham Hotspur as well. I wouldn’t be where I am today without Tottenham for sure. I was here from 11 years old.

“All the guidance, all the coaches. You allow me to live my dream so, for sure, without all those moments together, all the ups and downs along the way from that journey has led me to that journey here today so just want to say thank you to Tottenham Hotspur.

“To all the fans – Bayern Munich fans, England fans, Spurs fans – and all my fans around the world, a lot of you in this room tonight, the support you give me in the stadiums, around the place, wherever it may be, on social media, I appreciate it all.

“I remember being a fan years ago, what it means to be a footballer. It’s been a dream of mine so any time I can give back to you guys it’s a real honour and a privilege to do so.”

Kane’s wholesome speech didn’t leave anyone out as he named the people that helped him reach the top of the world.

The England great said: “I wanna give a shout out to some of my coaches who have helped me along the way.

“Bradley Allen, Chris Ramsey, Tim Sherwood, Ryan Mason is here tonight, one of my best friends, Kenny Jackett, Russell Slade, Harry Redknapp, Mauricio Pochettino, Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte and then Roy Hodgson, Gareth Southgate and of course my two manages, Vinny [Kompany] and now Thomas.

“All of you played a big role in my development, all at different stages in my life and without each and every one of you I wouldn’t be sat here today.

“For sure I learnt lots and found myself with the best people and with the best coaches it only improves you as a person and as a player so thank you very much.”

Kane topped an incredible Top 10 in the Ballon d’Or rankings that saw Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe finish second, while Barcelona star Lamine Yamal came third.

Rodri and eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi completed the top five.

Paris Saint-Germain pair Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembele followed as sixth and seventh respectively.

The Top 10 was completed by Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland, Kane’s Bayern team-mate Michael Olise and Fabian Ruiz, who won the Champions League with PSG and World Cup with Spain.

Kane’s incredible achievements in front of goal were recognised, as he became the first Englishman to secure the award in 25 YEARS.

Liverpool star Michael Owen was the last to seal the title in 2001, becoming the second-youngest player ever to do so at the age of 22 years and four days.

Owen beat competition from Raul, Oliver Kahn and David Beckham to take the glory after helping Liverpool to their historic domestic treble in the 2000/01 season.

But Kane was up against potentially even stiffer competition, with LaLiga superstars Yamal and Mbappe hot on his heels going into the event at the London Palladium on Monday night.

Yamal especially had quite the claim, helping his Barcelona side to the Spanish title while featuring heavily in Spain‘s triumphant World Cup campaign in July.

However, the Barcelona superstar didn’t leave the capital empty handed as he won the Men’s Young Talent of the Year award for a third consecutive year.

Yamal wasn’t the only Barca star to snatch gold as the club’s women’s manager Pere Romeu won Women’s Coach of the Year and his star players Vicky Lopez and Cata Coll won Women’s Young Talent of the Year and Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year respectively.

And the winger’s Spain manager Luis de la Fuente won Men’s Coach of the Year as he led the Furia Roja to their second World Cup, just two years after beating England in the Euro 2024 final.

Athletic Bilbao star Unai Simon was part of De la Fuente’s world champions and that is why he won Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year.

And the big day for Spain was capped off with London City Lionesses star Alexia Putellas being named Women’s Ballon d’Or winner.

But Kane’s CV was hardly shabby, being the main man in a Bayern side that completed the domestic treble this season under Vincent Kompany.

He followed that up by joining up with his England team-mates in the US to captain Thomas Tuchel‘s side in the US.

His leadership – and his six goals in seven games – helped the Three Lions reach the semi-final before going out in heartbreaking fashion to Lionel Messi‘s Argentina.

England has a special relationship with the Ballon d’Or, which was first presented in 1956 by French outlet France Football.

The award is voted on by one member of the press from each of the top 100-ranked Fifa member nations.

The inaugural winner of the award (then called the European footballer of the year) was English Blackpool star Stanley Matthews, who beat Real Madrid legend Alfredo di Stefano to the accolade.

It was in his honour that Monday’s event, marking 70 years since his triumph, was held in London for the first time – having been held at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris since 2019.

Kevin Keegan is the other England star to have won the award, and the only one to have won twice after taking back-to-back honours in 1978 and 1979.