The 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony was held in London, marking the first time the event took place outside of Paris. This change of venue was a tribute to Stanley Matthews, an English footballer who received the inaugural Ballon d'Or in 1956. Harry Kane, an English striker currently playing for Bayern Munich, won the prestigious award, becoming the fifth British player to do so.
Kane's achievement is notable as he is the first English player to win the Ballon d'Or in 25 years. The previous English winners were Stanley Matthews, Bobby Charlton, Kevin Keegan, and Owen. The ceremony also recognized other outstanding footballers, including Alexia Putellas, who won the Ballon d'Or Feminin for her performances with Barcelona and London City Lionesses.
In a surprising turn of events, the official website of the Ballon d'Or published three separate articles announcing different winners: Kane, Lamine Yamal, and Kylian Mbappé. However, these errors were quickly rectified, and the correct winners were announced. Multiple reputable sources, including Yahoo Sports, Depor, beIN Sports, and ESPN, confirmed the list of winners.
The 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony saw several other notable awards. Lamine Yamal, a young Spanish player from Barcelona, won the Kopa Trophy for the best young male player. Vicky López, also from Barcelona, received the Kopa Trophy for the best young female player. The Yashin Trophy for the best male goalkeeper went to Unai Simón of Athletic Club, while Cata Coll of Barcelona won the equivalent award for female goalkeepers.
Harry Kane also won the Gerd Müller Trophy for the top male goal scorer of the year. Charlyn Corral, a Mexican forward playing for Pachuca, received the Gerd Müller Trophy for the top female goal scorer. The awards for coach of the year went to Luis de la Fuente, who led the Spanish national team, and Pere Romeu, who coached Barcelona's women's team.
The ceremony also recognized contributions to social causes. Bukayo Saka, an English player from Arsenal, received the Sócrates Prize for his work in solidarity and social causes. The best club of the year awards went to Paris Saint-Germain for men's football and FC Barcelona Femení for women's football.
The 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony celebrated outstanding achievements in football, with Harry Kane's award being a highlight. As the first English winner in 25 years, Kane's recognition marks a significant moment for English football. The event acknowledged exceptional talents and contributions across various categories, reinforcing the global reach and excellence of the sport.
Key points
- Harry Kane becomes the first English player to win the Ballon d'Or in 25 years.
- The 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony was held in London, outside of Paris for the first time.
- Multiple awards were given out during the ceremony, recognizing outstanding achievements in various categories.
