London, Oct 27.  (Xinhua GNA) – Harry Kane won the 2026 Ballon d’Or on Monday, becoming the first Englishman to claim football’s most prestigious individual award in 25 years.

The 33-year-old Bayern Munich striker scored 73 goals for club and England last season, breaking several scoring records for Bayern and at the World Cup.

He captained England to a third-place finish, its best World Cup result in 60 years, and scored six goals at the tournament to surpass Gary Lineker as England’s all-time leading World Cup scorer.

 Kane also led Bayern to a Bundesliga and German Cup double, scoring a hat-trick against Stuttgart in the cup final, and helped the club reach the Champions League semifinals.

 “My journey wasn’t straightforward,” Kane said. “I had to fight my way to be the very best right now. I hope that can give you inspiration as well.”

No English player had won the award since Michael Owen in 2001. The ceremony was held in London for the first time, marking the 70th anniversary of the inaugural award, won by Stanley Matthews in 1956.

Earlier, Spain’s Alexia Putellas won her record-equaling third women’s Ballon d’Or, ending former Barcelona teammate Aitana Bonmati’s three-year reign.

The 32-year-old led Barcelona to four trophies last season, including the Women’s Champions League, and played a key role in Spain’s Women’s Nations League triumph.