Harry Kane has become the first English footballer in 25 years to win the prestigious Ballon d’Or, following his triumph at the 2026 awards ceremony in London.

The Bayern Munich striker emerged ahead of Real Madrid and France forward Kylian Mbappé, who finished second, and Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal, who placed third, to claim football’s most coveted individual honour.

The 33 year old becomes the fifth Englishman to win the award, joining Stanley Matthews, the inaugural winner in 1956, Bobby Charlton in 1966, and Kevin Keegan, who claimed the prize in 1978 and 1979. 

His achievement also makes him the first Bayern Munich player to win the Ballon d’Or since Karl-Heinz Rummenigge in 1981.

Reflecting on his remarkable journey, Kane admitted that his success exceeded the expectations many people had of him during his early career, when doubts surrounded his potential to become a global football star. 

“Not many people would have thought it, and maybe even I wouldn’t have thought I’d be this far,” Kane told DAZN, crediting perseverance, hard work and self-belief for helping him overcome difficult moments and establish himself among the world's elite forwards.