Harry Kane Wins Ballon d’Or, Alexia Putellas Secures Third Women’s Award

In a remarkable achievement, England’s soccer player Harry Kane won the Ballon d’Or trophy for striker of the year during a ceremony at the London Palladium Theatre on Monday, October 26, 2026.

Harry Kane became the first Englishman in 25 years to secure the prestigious Ballon d’Or. His remarkable performance last season included scoring 73 goals for both club and country. Kane emerged as Europe’s top scorer and set records in Germany with Bayern Munich and during the World Cup. He captained England to a third-place finish in the tournament.

“Anything is possible with hard work, when no one else is watching, to go through the ups and downs, to learn through resilience, determination and self-belief,” Kane shared emotionally, addressing young players.

The journey to success was not straightforward for Kane, who had to overcome numerous challenges early in his career. He emphasized the importance of resilience and self-belief, encouraging young athletes to draw inspiration from his experiences.

Kane topped the voting list ahead of Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal, Rodri, and Lionel Messi. He expressed gratitude towards his teammates, coaches, family, and wife Kate, acknowledging their unwavering support.

Kane’s scoring prowess led Bayern to win the Bundesliga and German Cup, with his hat trick in the cup final against Stuttgart. Bayern also reached the Champions League semifinals. Kane’s World Cup performance saw him scoring six times, surpassing Gary Lineker as England’s all-time leading scorer in the tournament. England achieved its best World Cup ranking in 60 years by finishing third.

The last Englishman to win the Ballon d’Or was Michael Owen in 2001, marking a significant milestone for Kane and England. Kane expressed pride in representing England, stating, “Playing for England is my biggest honor, the thing I love to do the most.” England coach Thomas Tuchel commended Kane’s leadership and expressed satisfaction with his recognition in the football world.

Fans gathered in large numbers around the London Palladium, excited to catch a glimpse of the athletes. Kane signed autographs and was celebrated by fans even after the ceremony.

Despite the celebration, Kane remained mindful of his commitments, planning a modest celebration due to an upcoming cup game, and traveling back to Munich for training.

The ceremony in London marked a tribute to the inaugural Ballon d’Or award’s 70th anniversary, won by England’s Stanley Matthews in 1956.

Spain’s Alexia Putellas also made headlines by winning her record-equaling third women’s Ballon d’Or after her contribution to Barcelona’s successful season and Spain’s victory in the Women’s Nations League. Having joined London City Lionesses in the offseason, Putellas shared a message of encouragement to young players, urging them to follow their dreams passionately.

Putellas’s time at Barcelona, which spanned 14 seasons, was described as “something special.” She expressed immense gratitude for her experiences at the Catalan club.