Harry Kane (33, Bayern Munich) has claimed the Ballon d'Or, given to the world's best football player, for the first time in his career and for the first English player in 25 years.

At the 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony held at the London Palladium on October 27 (KST), Kane edged out strong competitors such as Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) and Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid) to be selected as the winner of the men's category.

Created by the French football magazine France Football, the Ballon d'Or is awarded to the player who has performed best over the past year among football players worldwide, chosen through votes by specialized football journalists selected from each country.

The men's category has been awarded since 1956, and the women's category since 2018.

The ceremony has traditionally been held in Paris, France, but this year it took place in London, England, for the first time to commemorate the inaugural winner, English football legend Stanley Matthews.

Kane is the first English player to win the Ballon d'Or since Michael Owen in 2001.

In addition, starting with the first winner Matthews in 1956, Bobby Charlton (1966), Kevin Keegan (1978, 1979), and Owen, Kane has become the fifth English-nationality winner in history.

For a player belonging to the German professional football powerhouse Bayern Munich, this marks the first win in a staggering 45 years since Karl-Heinz Rummenigge in 1981.

Kane also clinched a double by receiving the Gerd Müller Trophy, given to the best striker, on this day.

During the 2025-2026 season, Kane played a total of 65 matches for his club and national team, recording 73 goals and 8 assists.

Having scored 36 goals in the Bundesliga to secure the top scorer title for three consecutive seasons, Kane netted 61 goals in 51 matches for Munich alone, setting a new club record for the most goals in a single season, and scored 12 goals wearing the England national team uniform.

At the 2026 FIFA North and Central America World Cup, he scored 6 goals to lead England to a third-place finish.

After winning the Ballon d'Or, Kane expressed his emotion, saying, "I am truly left speechless."

Calling it even more special to receive the award in London, he added, "Thank you to everyone who voted for me," and greeted the other winners and nominees of the day, saying, "It must not have been easy to vote this year."

While Kane received the most dazzling spotlight, Spain's dominance stood out during the ceremony.

Spanish women's national team midfielder Alexia Putellas (London City) became the winner of the Ballon d'Or women's category.

Securing her third Ballon d'Or following 2021 and 2022, Putellas made her mark as only the second female player in history to win the Ballon d'Or three times, following national team teammate Aitana Bonmatí (2023–2025).

Spain has produced the Ballon d'Or women's category winner for six consecutive years.

Before transferring to London City, Putellas contributed to achieving four titles, including the UEFA Women's Champions League victory, as the captain of Barcelona Femení during the 2025-2026 season.

Luis de la Fuente, who led Spain to the top of the tournament for the first time in 16 years at this year's North and Central America World Cup, claimed the Johan Cruyff Trophy awarded to the best coach.

The women's coach award went to Pere Romeu of Barcelona Femení.

Spanish internationals Unai Simón (Athletic Club) and Cata Coll (Barcelona Femení) were selected as the best male and female goalkeepers, receiving the Yashin Trophy.

The best young player awards (Kopa Trophy) for men and women targeting players aged 21 and under also went to Spain's Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) and Vicky López (Barcelona Femení).

Rising star Yamal, who was nominated for the Ballon d'Or, received this award for the third consecutive year.

López, who holds dual Spanish and Nigerian citizenship, won for the second consecutive year.

The women's striker of the year award went to Mexican international Charlyn Corral (Pachuca).

Paris Saint-Germain (France) and Barcelona Femení received the men's and women's club awards.

Meanwhile, a few hours before the event began, individual press releases stating that Kane, Yamal, Mbappé, and others had won the Ballon d'Or were briefly posted on the awards ceremony's website and then deleted.

It is known that France Football had prepared introductory articles for each nominee in advance to prepare for the announcement of the winners, which were accidentally published early.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)