England captain and Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane has won the 2026 Ballon d’Or, becoming the first English footballer to claim the prestigious award since Michael Owen in 2001.

The 33-year-old was crowned the world's best male footballer during a glittering ceremony held at the London Palladium on Monday, October 26, beating Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe and Barcelona's Lamine Yamal, who finished second and third respectively.

Kane enjoyed an extraordinary 2025/26 campaign, scoring an astonishing 73 goals for club and country, and helping Munich secure a domestic treble including the Bundesliga title and German Cup.

The prolific striker also netted 14 UEFA Champions League goals as Bayern reached the semi-finals of Europe's elite competition.

On the international stage, Kane played a crucial role in England's impressive 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign, scoring 6 goals as the Three Lions secured third place.

His remarkable performances also earned him the Men's Striker of the Year award. Kane joins English football legends Stanley Matthews, Bobby Charlton, Kevin Keegan and Michael Owen as Ballon d’Or winners.

The historic victory marks years of consistency, determination and exceptional work, cementing Kane's legacy among football's greatest strikers.