Harry Kane has won the 2026 Ballon d'Or at the London Palladium, where the biggest names in world football gathered for the 70th edition of the awards on Monday evening.

Former Tottenham Hotspur and Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane has been crowned the 2026 Ballon d'Or winner, claiming the prestigious individual award for the first time in his career. The England captain faced competition from some of the biggest names in world football, including Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappe, Rodri, Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland, but emerged victorious following an outstanding season with Bayern Munich.

Kane becomes the first English player to win the Ballon d'Or since Michael Owen in 2001, when the former Liverpool striker claimed the award following a remarkable treble-winning campaign at Anfield. Speaking ahead of the ceremony, Kane admitted he was feeling nervous about the prospect of winning the award.

"I am a little nervous, I cannot lie," he said. "It is different to a match as it is out of my control. It is a special occasion and I am trying to take it all in. Hopefully it will be a special night.

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"There is always more you can do. Last season was definitely my best. There are always highs and lows. For me personally I was extremely proud to reach the numbers I did over the last year. It has been truly incredible."

The Bayern star had been widely regarded as the favourite to claim the men's award after enjoying a sensational 2025/26 campaign, scoring an impressive 61 goals in 51 appearances across all competitions. His remarkable goalscoring exploits helped Bayern secure both the Bundesliga title and the German Cup, further strengthening his case for football's most prestigious individual honour.

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The Ballon d'Or winners are determined by an international panel of journalists, with 100 voting for the men's award and 50 for the women's prize.

Each journalist, representing one of the highest-ranked nations in the FIFA World Rankings, selects their top 10 players from a 30-man shortlist. Points are then awarded based on each player's position in the voting, with 15 points given to the journalist's first choice, 12 for second place and 10 for third.

The remaining positions receive eight, seven, five, four, three, two and one point respectively, with the player accumulating the highest total crowned the winner.

Kane also picked up the Men's Striker of the Year award.