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Bayern Munich and England striker Harry Kane won the Ballon d'Or for the best player of the 2025-26 season, claiming the award for the first time in his career. The prize was handed out for the 70th time at the Palladium Theatre in London.

The ceremony was held outside Paris for the first time, in memory of English footballer Stanley Matthews, who won the inaugural Ballon d'Or in 1956. Barcelona's Lamine Yamal took the Kopa Trophy, and Spain coach Luis de la Fuente was named men's coach of the year.

Ceremony held outside Paris for the first time

The ceremony, hosted by Thierry Henry and Kate Scott, began 45 minutes late because of heavy traffic in the city centre. It took place at the Palladium Theatre in London in tribute to Stanley Matthews, the English footballer who won the first Ballon d'Or in 1956.

In the voting, Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe finished second and Barcelona's Lamine Yamal third. On the women's side, Spain's Alexia Putellas won the award for a third time, after her successes in 2021 and 2022. Putellas won the UEFA Champions League with Barcelona last season and moved to London City Lionesses last summer.

First English winner in 25 years

Kane, 33, became the first English player to win the Ballon d'Or since Michael Owen in 2001. He joins Matthews (1956), Bobby Charlton (1966), Kevin Keegan (1978, 1979) and Owen as the fifth English recipient of the prize.

He is also the first Bayern Munich player to take the award since Karl-Heinz Rummenigge won it in consecutive years in 1980 and 1981. Kane scored 61 goals in 51 appearances for Bayern last season, the most by any player in a single campaign in the club's history, and scored 73 times in total including matches for the national team.

He also netted six goals at the World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, playing a major part in England's third-place finish.

Kane and Tuchel pay tribute

Speaking at the ceremony, Kane said he was lost for words. "Being here, in London, made this even more special. I thank everyone who voted for me. I can imagine it was a tough choice this year. There are world-class players in the hall tonight. I congratulate all the winners and nominees," he said.

After thanking his teammates, coaches and family, Kane addressed Bayern Munich head coach Vincent Kompany, who was taken to hospital last week after falling ill at the club's facilities: "Vinny, I wish you a speedy recovery. I hope this gives you some energy."

England head coach Thomas Tuchel congratulated Kane, saying: "I ran out of praise words to describe your performances a long time ago, but I am happy to see the football world officially reward you. Being the first Englishman to win this big prize in 25 years makes it even more special. It is a great chance for us to have you as our leader."

Yamal, coaches and clubs among other winners

Barcelona's 19-year-old forward Lamine Yamal won the Kopa Trophy for the best player under 21 for the third consecutive year. The women's award went to Barcelona's Vicky Lopez for a second straight time.

The Gerd Muller Trophy for the season's best forward was shared between Kane on the men's side and Pachuca's Mexican striker Charlyn Corral on the women's. Corral is the leading scorer in the history of Pachuca's women's team.

Athletic Bilbao's Unai Simon and Barcelona's Cata Coll won the men's and women's Lev Yashin awards for the best goalkeeper. Simon set a record with seven clean sheets at the World Cup, where he played a major role in Spain's title win, and took the Golden Glove.

Luis de la Fuente, who led Spain to the 2026 FIFA World Cup title, received the Johan Cruyff Trophy as men's coach of the year, while Barcelona women's coach Pere Romeu took the women's award. The men's club prize went to Paris Saint-Germain after a second consecutive UEFA Champions League title, and the women's to Barcelona. Arsenal's Bukayo Saka received the Socrates award for his social responsibility work off the pitch.

Key takeaways

• Harry Kane won the Ballon d'Or for the first time, becoming the first English winner since Michael Owen in 2001.
• The 70th ceremony was held at London's Palladium Theatre, the first time the event has taken place outside Paris.
• Alexia Putellas won the women's Ballon d'Or for a third time; Lamine Yamal took the Kopa Trophy for the third year running.
• Luis de la Fuente was named men's coach of the year after leading Spain to the 2026 FIFA World Cup title.