The English striker beat Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe to claim his first-ever Ballon d’Or at the Palladium Theatre in London, UK, on Monday.
He became the first English player to win the prize since Michael Owen in 2001.
The 33-year-old scored 73 goals for both clubs and country in the 2025/26 season. His goals helped Bayern Munich win the German Bundesliga and reach the UEFA Champions League (UCL) semi-finals.
He also captained the English national team to the bronze medal at the 2026 World Cup in North America.
Alexia Putellas became the second player to win the women’s Ballon d’Or thrice. She joins Aitana Bonmatí on the exclusive list.
Spain and Barcelona midfielder Alexia Putellas poses after receiving the Ballon d’Or Feminin award for the best female footballer during the 2026 Ballon d’Or France Football award ceremony at the Palladium Theatre in London on October 26, 2026. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)
Earlier, Bukayo Saka also won the Socrates Award for his charity work, which has funded surgeries for children in Nigeria and other African countries.
FULL LIST OF THE 2026 BALLON D’OR WINNERS
Men’s Ballon d’Or: Harry Kane
Women’s Ballon d’Or: Alexia Putellas
Best Young Talent of the Year: Lamine Yamal and Vicky Lopez
Best Goalkeeper Trophy: Cata Coll and Unai Simon
Women’s Best Striker of the Year: Charlyn Corral
Men’s Best Striker of the Year: Harry Kane
Best Men’s Coach: Luis De La Fuente
Best Women’s Coach: Pere Romeu
Men’s Best Club: Paris St-Germain FC
Women’s Club of the Year: FC Barcelona
Socrates Trophy: Bukayo Saka
Nigerian singer Burna Boy presents the Socrates Trophy for most involved player in societal and charitable projects during the 2026 Ballon d’Or France Football award ceremony at the Palladium Theatre in London on October 26, 2026. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)Nigerian singer Burna Boy presents the Socrates Trophy for most involved player in societal and charitable projects to English fooballer Bukayo Saka during the 2026 Ballon d’Or France Football award ceremony at the Palladium Theatre in London on October 26, 2026. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)Brazil’s former footballer Ronaldo presents the Ballon d’Or award for the best male footballer to England and Bayern Munich forward Harry Kane during the 2026 Ballon d’Or France Football award ceremony at the Palladium Theatre in London on October 26, 2026. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)Spain and Barcelona midfielder Alexia Putellas and England and Bayern Munich forward Harry Kane kiss their trophies on stage after receiving their Ballon d’Or awards for the best female and male footballer during the 2026 Ballon d’Or France Football award ceremony at the Palladium Theatre in London on October 26, 2026. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)England and Bayern Munich forward Harry Kane speaks on stage after receiving the Gerd Muller Trophy for the Best Striker during the 2026 Ballon d’Or France Football award ceremony at the Palladium Theatre in London on October 26, 2026. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)Hosts Kate Scott and Thierry Henry on stage during the 2026 Ballon d’Or France Football award ceremony at the Palladium Theatre in London on October 26, 2026. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)France and Paris Saint Germain forward Ousmane Dembele reacts after receiving the “2026 Ballon d’Or Men’s Club of the Year” trophy during the 2026 Ballon d’Or France Football award ceremony at the Palladium Theatre in London on October 26, 2026. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)President of FC Barcelona Joan Laporta receives the “2026 Ballon d’Or Women’s Club of the Year” trophy during the 2026 Ballon d’Or France Football award ceremony at the Palladium Theatre in London on October 26, 2026. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)Spain and Barcelona forward Vicky Lopez speaks after winning the Trophy for the Women’s Young Talent of the Year during the 2026 Ballon d’Or France Football award ceremony at the Palladium Theatre in London on October 26, 2026. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)Spain’s goalkeeper Unai Simon speaks after receiving the Yashin Trophy for the best male goalkeeper during the 2026 Ballon d’Or France Football award ceremony at the Palladium Theatre in London on October 26, 2026. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)Spain head coach Luis de La Fuente speaks on stage after winning the Trophy for the Men’s Coach of the Year during the 2026 Ballon d’Or France Football award ceremony at the Palladium Theatre in London on October 26, 2026. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)
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