Harry Kane ends England's 25-year wait for Ballon d'Or

Harry Kane has won the 2026 Ballon d'Or, becoming the first Englishman to win football's most prestigious individual trophy in 25 years.

The England and Bayern Munich striker was crowned the best men's footballing talent in the world at a ceremony in London after scoring 73 goals across the 2025/26 season.

Kane, who was also named men's striker of the year at the event, won two trophies in Germany and reached the semi-finals of the Champions League with Bayern Munich last season.

He also led England to a third-place World Cup finish, scoring six goals to become the Three Lions' all-time top scorer in the competition.

Kane, who had never finished higher than 10th in the Ballon d'Or previously, beat Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe and Barcelona's Lamine Yamal to the prize, voted by an international panel of football journalists managed by France Football.

He becomes the first Englishman to win the award since Michael Owen in 2001.

Kane's England teammates Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham finished 15th and 11th in the rankings respectively.

"I am almost speechless," Kane said in his acceptance speech.

"Being here in London has made it extra special. It looked like a good omen for me tonight."

The 33-year-old went on to thank his England teammates and staff, as well as those at his current club Bayern Munich, including manager Vincent Kompany, who is recovering after collapsing at the team's training ground on Friday.

Kane also thanked his former club Tottenham Hotspur, and paid tribute to his family, adding: "I know how much support you give me. We all live these emotions together."

He said his children are "the reason I do this" and described his wife, Kate, as "my biggest supporter".

"You always want the best for me. You sacrifice yourself to help me achieve my dreams. It wouldn't be possible without you," he added.

England manager Thomas Tuchel led the tributes to Kane, saying: "I ran out of superlatives to describe your performances a long time ago, but I'm delighted to see that you have now been formally recognised by the football world."

Tuchel added: "To become the first Englishman to win this huge honour in 25 years makes it extra special and we are lucky to have you as our leader."

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Kane joins exclusive list

Kane is the all-time England men's top scorer with 91 goals, and is also set to become the team's most-capped player, having equalled Peter Shilton's record of 125 appearances earlier this month.

Kane becomes only the fifth Englishman in history to lift the Ballon d'Or, after Sir Stanley Matthews in 1956, Sir Bobby Charlton in 1966, Kevin Keegan in 1978 and 1979, and Owen.

Scotland's Denis Law and Northern Ireland's George Best, who won in 1964 and 1968, respectively, are the other winners from the UK.

Alexia Putellas, the London City Lionesses and Spain player, was named as the women's Ballon d'Or winner at the ceremony on Monday, while Lionesses striker Alessia Russo finished ninth.

Kane's England teammate Bukayo Saka picked up the Socrates award - named after a Brazilian player from the 1970s and '80s - which is given in recognition of a footballer's humanitarian work.

(c) Sky News 2026: Harry Kane ends England's 25-year wait for Ballon d'Or