On October 27, 2026, the 70th Ballon d'Or ceremony took place at the London Palladium Theatre in England. Harry Kane, a 33-year-old English footballer who plays for Bayern Munich, won the prestigious award. This was the first time the award was presented outside of France, where it is organized by France Football magazine. Kane's win marks a significant milestone, as he is the fifth English player to receive the honor.
Harry Kane had an impressive year, helping Bayern Munich secure the German championship and cup. He played 51 games, scoring 61 goals and providing seven assists. For the English national team, he played 11 games, scoring 11 goals. His outstanding performance earned him the award, beating out other top contenders like Kylian Mbappe, who finished second, and Lamine Yamal, who took third place.
Kane's achievement is notable, as he is the first English player to win the Ballon d'Or since Michael Owen in 2001. He joins an elite group of English footballers who have received the award, including Sir Stanley Matthews, Sir Bobby Charlton, and Kevin Keegan. In addition to the Ballon d'Or, Kane also won the award for the best striker, scoring 73 goals in the 2025-2026 season.
The ceremony saw several other notable awards presented. Kylian Mbappe, who plays for Real Madrid, finished second in the Ballon d'Or voting, despite not winning any major trophies with his team. Lamine Yamal, who plays for FC Barcelona, won the award for the best young player. Yamal had a remarkable season, playing 45 games, scoring 24 goals, and providing 18 assists, helping his team secure the Spanish championship.
The Spanish national team had a successful year, winning the World Cup under the guidance of coach Luis de la Fuente, who was named the best coach of the year. The team's goalkeeper, Unai Simon, was also recognized as the best goalkeeper of the year. In the women's category, Alexia Putellas, who plays for London City Lionesses, won the Ballon d'Or, her third major award.
Other notable awards included the Socrates Award, which recognizes humanitarian work, given to English player Bukayo Saka. Paris Saint-Germain was named the best team of the year, having won the UEFA Champions League. In the women's category, Barcelona Femeni was named the best team, while Charlyn Corral, who plays for CF Pachuca, won the award for the best female striker.
The Ballon d'Or ceremony is one of the most prestigious events in the football world, recognizing outstanding achievements by players, coaches, and teams. This year's ceremony saw a strong showing by English and Spanish footballers, reflecting their impressive performances in the 2025-2026 season.
Key points
- Harry Kane becomes the fifth English player to win the Ballon d'Or.
- Kane wins the award for the best striker, scoring 73 goals in the 2025-2026 season.
- The Spanish national team has a successful year, winning the World Cup and several individual awards.
