For years, English football fans have watched the Ballon d’Or slip through their fingers, sometimes agonisingly close, sometimes seemingly out of reach.
But on Monday night, October 26, the story changed.
Harry Kane, the England captain who has spent much of his career chasing silverware and silencing critics, finally climbed football’s most prestigious individual podium, claiming the men’s Ballon d’Or at the 70th edition of the ceremony held at the London Palladium.
And if Kane’s triumph was the headline, the night had plenty of other stories competing for attention.
Spain’s Alexia Putellas claimed the women’s Ballon d’Or, Lamine Yamal continued his remarkable run among football’s brightest young stars, and a host of players, coaches and clubs walked away with honours.
Yet the biggest question hanging over the ceremony was not simply who won.
It was what Kane’s victory means for the football world, the players who missed out, and the eternal debate over what truly makes a player worthy of being crowned the best.
Kane Finally Gets His Moment
For Harry Kane, the Ballon d’Or is more than a golden trophy.
It is a statement.
After an impressive 2025-26 campaign with Bayern Munich, the England international has finally secured the individual recognition that has eluded him for much of his career.
Kane’s journey has been one of goals, consistency and the relentless pursuit of football’s biggest prizes.
Now, with the Ballon d’Or in his hands, the striker has added one of the most coveted individual honours in the sport to his growing list of achievements.
His victory also marks a significant moment for English football.
It is the first time since 2001 that an English player has won the men’s Ballon d’Or, ending a 25-year wait for the country to reclaim the award.
And there is another twist.
The ceremony was held in London, meaning Kane received football’s most prestigious individual prize on home soil.
For a player whose career has been defined by ambition and the pursuit of greatness, the timing could hardly have been more symbolic.
Yamal: The Young King Who Keeps Coming
While Kane celebrated the biggest individual prize of his career, Lamine Yamal was busy reminding the football world that his story is only just beginning.
The Barcelona forward won the men’s Young Talent of the Year award for the third consecutive year, having previously claimed the honour in 2024 and 2025.
Three years.
Three awards.
And a growing reputation as one of the most exciting players in world football.
Yamal may not have walked away with the main Ballon d’Or prize, but his continued dominance of the young-player category sends a message to his rivals.
The future is already here.
And it is wearing Barcelona colours.
The question now is how long he will have to wait before turning youthful promise into the biggest individual honour in the game.
Putellas Takes The Women’s Crown
The women’s Ballon d’Or also delivered a major moment, with Spain international Alexia Putellas claiming the award.
Putellas enjoyed a successful season with Barcelona, helping the club secure a treble before moving to London City Lionesses in July.
Her victory adds another chapter to a career that has already established her among the leading figures in women’s football.
For Barcelona, the night was another reminder of the club’s extraordinary influence on the women’s game.
The Catalan side also collected several other awards, including Women’s Club of the Year, while Vicky López retained the women’s Young Talent of the Year prize.
A Night Of Spanish Dominance
The awards ceremony was not just about Kane and Putellas.
Spain enjoyed a particularly successful evening, with several of its players and coaches recognised across different categories.
Luis de la Fuente, the Spanish national team coach, was named Men’s Coach of the Year.
Barcelona manager Pere Romeu won the women’s coaching award.
Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón claimed the men’s Goalkeeper of the Year prize, while Barcelona’s Cata Coll won the women’s category.
The results highlighted the strength of Spanish football across both the men’s and women’s games.
But while the Spanish contingent celebrated, Paris Saint-Germain also had reason to smile after being named Men’s Club of the Year.
Bukayo Saka Wins For More Than Football
Not every award on the night was about goals, trophies or dazzling performances on the pitch.
Arsenal and England forward Bukayo Saka received the Sócrates Award in recognition of his humanitarian work and football-related social initiatives.
The award recognises players whose impact reaches beyond the game itself.
For Saka, the honour was a reminder that football’s biggest stars can also use their influence to make a difference away from the spotlight.
Mexico international Charlyn Corral, who plays for Pachuca, was named Women’s Striker of the Year.
A Ceremony With A Historic Twist
The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony was particularly significant because it marked the award’s 70th anniversary.
It was also the first time the gala had been held outside France since the award was introduced in 1956.
London was chosen in recognition of England’s Stanley Matthews, the inaugural winner of the men’s Ballon d’Or.
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Football presenter Kate Scott and former France international Thierry Henry hosted the event, which celebrated the outstanding performances of players, coaches and clubs during the season.
The Winners: Who Took Home The Golden Honours?
Here is the full list of winners at the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony:
- Men’s Ballon d’Or: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich, England)
- Women’s Ballon d’Or: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona/London City Lionesses, Spain)
- Men’s Young Talent of the Year – Kopa Trophy: Lamine Yamal (Barcelona, Spain)
- Women’s Young Talent of the Year: Vicky López (Barcelona, Spain)
- Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year – Yashin Trophy: Unai Simón (Athletic Bilbao, Spain)
- Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year: Cata Coll (Barcelona, Spain)
- Men’s Coach of the Year: Luis de la Fuente (Spain)
- Women’s Coach of the Year: Pere Romeu (Barcelona)
- Men’s Striker of the Year – Gerd Müller Trophy: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich, England)
- Women’s Striker of the Year: Charlyn Corral (Pachuca, Mexico)
- Sócrates Award: Bukayo Saka (Arsenal, England)
- Men’s Club of the Year: Paris Saint-Germain (France)
- Women’s Club of the Year: Barcelona (Spain)
The Debate Does Not End Here
Kane has the Ballon d’Or.
Yamal has another young-player award.
Putellas has the women’s crown.
And the football world has another year of arguments ahead of it.
Because every Ballon d’Or winner leaves behind the same question: was the award given to the right player?
For Kane, the answer will be clear to his supporters.
For those who backed other contenders, the debate may continue long after the golden trophy has been lifted.
But one thing is certain.
On a night when football celebrated its past, present and future, Harry Kane finally got to write his name into the history books.