Harry Kane wins the 2026 Ballon d'Or, becoming the first English player to win the trophy for 25 years
The Bayern Munich, England and former Tottenham striker looked surprised and emotional as he collected the prize at the ceremony in London
Kane scored 73 goals for club and country last season; his 61 goals in 51 club games was the most a Bayern player has scored in a campaign
He said: 'I had to bide my time and work hard, a lot of times it was me against my own mind and I had to come through it, I had to show self-belief, determination.'
Prince William congratulated Kane on the honour saying he was a 'brilliant captain' and 'remarkable player' while England boss Thomas Tuchel said he was 'delighted'
Kane pipped Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal to the trophy, who finished second and third respectively
Julien Laurens
French football journalist on BBC Radio 5 Live
I've said for many years that Kane is England's best number nine and best number 10 as well. And there aren't many players like that, not just in the world today, but throughout history.
Bayern Munich assistant coach Aaron Danks sat down for the Bundesliga side's pre-match news conference this morning.
And he was joined by Ballon d'Or winner Harry Kane.
Image source, Bayern MunichWell, kind of...
Image source, Bayern MunichPlease keep sending in your Harry Kane poems!
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Congratulations to Harry Kane! Attached, you'll find a poem I wrote in honour of his achievement.
James, Greater Manchester
The Ballon d'Or was only available to European players from its formation in 1956 until 1995 when it was opened up to everyone.
Since then in four of the seven World Cup years, the Ballon d'Or has been awarded to a world champion - including Messi in 2023 (as the 2022 World Cup was in the winter).
However, that was the first time since 2006 it had happened, with Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric all winning since then despite not winning the World Cup that year.
This is only the fifth time in the past 20 years that the Ballon d'Or has not gone to a player who has won either the World Cup, the Champions League or a European Championship/Copa America - with Kane joining Messi (three times) and Ronaldo.
Lamine Yamal, who won the World Cup with Spain, had been one of the favourites but lost out to Kane.
Last year, winning the Champions League helped PSG and France's Ousmane Dembele to the crown.
France forward Kylian Mbappe became the first player to win the World Cup Golden Boot twice after earning the award for top scorer at the 2026 tournament.
The 27-year-old netted 10 goals in eight games to edge out Lionel Messi.
Mbappe also became the men's World Cup all-time top scorer with 22 goals - one ahead of Messi.
Despite scoring 42 goals in 44 games for Real Madrid last season, Mbappe did not win a major trophy.
He finished second behind Harry Kane in the Ballon d'Or.
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I think Kylian Mbappe really did deserve it. He had the best individual season, which is what the Ballon d'Or is about - not the trophies the team won, but what the player did for his club and country.
Will, Wales
Image source, Getty ImagesAnd the love was mutual between Harry Kane and his former club, with the England captain finding a moment to thank Spurs in his speech:
"Thank you to Tottenham Hotspur as well," Kane said.
"I wouldn't be where I am today without Tottenham. All the guidance, all the coaches you have allowed me to live my dream. For all those moments, all the ups and downs along the way has led me to this moment here today.
"To all the fans, Bayern, England fans, Spurs fans and all my fans around the world. I love you in this room tonight.
"The support you give me - I appreciate it all. I remember being a fan not long ago and what it means to play football. It was a dream of mine.
"Any time I can give back to you guys, it is an honour and privilege to do so."
Harry Kane, speaking to Sky Sports this morning following his historic Ballon d'Or win on Monday evening: "It sounds crazy to be honest but it sounds pretty good. It was a special night. An incredible feeling. I'm still just trying to take it all in really. It feels like a dream.
"The emotion [when his name got called] was relief, joy, happiness, excitement. There was so much waiting to find out the winner and in at the moment it was quite nerve-wracking so to have that kind of release and to be able to share it with everyone there in that theatre was special.
"I like to do the work behind the scenes. Sometimes when nobody is watching, it's the best time to improve and let everything else just explode on the pitch. There is no better way to prove that than winning this award."
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Fantastic achievement! Absolutely love how professional and hard-working he is, how humble he is, and how proud he is to play for his country. So much admiration for the man. Brilliant player and top bloke.
Bob, Bristol
What I love about Kane's story is that he was never a wonderkid. He worked hard through some tough loans and then took his chance when Spurs had injuries. An ultimate pro who never gave up and went on to reach generational status.
Jeuel, London
Leyton Orient
Harry Kane scored his first senior goal for Leyton Orient in the 2010-2011 League One season.
It was the first of four loan moves from Tottenham for the 33-year-old.
"Every Ballon d'Or winner remembers their first senior goal. Congrats on an incredible achievement, Harry Kane," Leyton Orient posted.
Image source, Getty Images
Norwich City
Harry Kane made three Premier League appearances for Norwich City during a six-month loan spell in 2012.
The club posted on X: "Thinking about those six months in Norfolk. The only #BallonDor winner to call East Anglia home. Well deserved, Harry Kane."
Image source, Getty Images
Thierry Henry
Former France forward on DAZN
I would always back my fellow Frenchmen but I have to say something about Harry Kane. I have seen him since the beginning. He had to suffer really hard to achieve what he has achieved. A worthy winner, well done.
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Well done, Harry Kane! Fully deserved. Not only for his performances and stats, but also for the way he conducts himself and sets an example to team-mates and young players hoping to emulate him. I hope he wins a major trophy with England now to round it off.
Ian, Lincoln
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England
England boss Thomas Tuchel praised Harry Kane after his win: "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.
"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.
"I know you will enjoy this moment with your loved ones and then get back to doing what you do best - scoring goals and winning football matches."
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Scotsman here, but just have to hold your hands up. Kane is simply the complete player and finest British footballer of our era. Consistency, the goals, the vision. We're lucky to get to watch a footballer like that at the absolute top of the game.
Barry, Dundee
Harry Kane became the first English player to win the Ballon d'Or since Michael Owen in 2001.
The 33-year-old Bayern Munich striker is the fifth Englishman to win in total, with Stanley Matthews (1956), Bobby Charlton (1966) and Kevin Keegan (1978 and 1979) the others.
Denis Law of Scotland (1964) and Northern Ireland's George Best (1968) are the other winners from the United Kingdom.
Image source, Getty ImagesIf you're basing it on purely statistics alone in 2025-26, there really was no arguing Harry Kane's Ballon d'Or win.
The Bayern Munich forward scored 61 goals in 51 appearances, helping the German giants to their 35th Bundesliga title along with the German Cup.
It was the most a Bayern player has ever scored in a campaign.
His nearest competitor in terms of goals scored was Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe, who netted 42 goals in 2025-26 for the La Liga side.
In the 21st century, only two players have scored 61 or more goals in Europe’s top five divisions. As well as Kane, Cristiano Ronaldo hit 61 goals in the 2014-15 campaign, while Lionel Messi holds the record with a total of 73 goals in the 2011-12 season.
Kane scored 73 goals for club and country last season.
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There is lots for you to be having your say on this morning with regard to Harry Kane's Ballon d'Or win but one of the big questions we want answering is, does this win cement him as England's greatest ever player?
The Bayern Munich forward has already taken his spot atop of the all-time scoring charts for the Three Lions and now with a Ballon d'Or to boot, can you really argue otherwise?
Does he still need to win a trophy with England to make his way into that conversation?
Let us know your thoughts on that and anything else surrounding last night's Ballon d'Or by clicking that 'Get Involved' button.
