It's been 25 years since Michael Owen last won the Ballon d'Or. Now an English footballer is the best in the world again. There had been talk of Spanish prodigy Lamine Yamal and French goal machine Kylian Mbappé.
But 73 goals in 65 games for club and country were too much to resist. Harry Kane received the prestigious award after scoring for Bayern Munich and England in 2025–2026.
Thanking teammates
And so the former Tottenham striker returned to London to be crowned the world's best. In his speech, he thanked both former teammates and coaches.
"You all have played a huge role in my development at different stages of my life. Without you, I wouldn't be standing here today. I've learned a lot," says Kane.
When you surround yourself with the best people, it makes you a better person and player.
In recent years, the gala has been held at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. But this year it took place in England at the classic London Palladium, in tribute to the fact that Englishman Sir Stanley Matthews was awarded the very first Ballon d'Or 70 years ago, in 1956.
Spanish domination
The Ballon d'Or is awarded by the French magazine France Football and is seen as the finest individual award a footballer can receive.
Otherwise, there was great Spanish dominance at the gala. Spain took home all seven first prizes that were awarded. Among them were Lamine Yamal and Vicky López as young players of the year, and the men's national team coach Luis de la Fuente, who led Spain to World Cup gold and was named coach of the year.
But in the end, it was an Englishman who was celebrated.
2026: Harry Kane, England.
2025: Ousmane Dembélé, France.
2024: Rodri, Spain.
2023: Lionel Messi, Argentina.
2022: Karim Benzema, France.
Ballon d'Or, men: Harry Kane (England)
Women's Ballon d'Or: Alexia Putellas (Spain)
Men's Coach of the Year: Luis de la Fuente (Spain)
Women's Coach of the Year: Pere Romeu (Barcelona)
Club of the Year, Men: Paris Saint-Germain
Club of the Year, Women: Barcelona
Best male player under 21: Lamine Yamal (Spain/Barcelona)
Best women's player under 21: Vicky López (Spain/Barcelona)
Best goalkeeper, men: Unai Simón (Spain/Athletic Bilbao)
Best goalkeeper, women: Cata Coll (Spain/Barcelona)
Top scorer, men: Harry Kane (England/Bayern Munich)
Top scorer, women: Charlyn Corral (Mexico/Pachuca)
