Harry Kane won the 2026 men's Ballon d'Or in London on Monday after a remarkable 73-goal season for Bayern Munich and England.
The England striker claimed world football's most prestigious individual award on home soil following an unstoppable campaign for club and country. Kane finished the season with 73 goals across all competitions, recording the second-highest single-season total in football history behind Lionel Messi, who scored 82 goals in the 2010-11 season. That scoring return also earned Kane the trophy for the ceremony's top male scorer.
The Ballon d'Or, presented annually by France Football since 1956, is widely regarded as the sport's greatest individual honour. Kane's victory capped a dominant year leading the attack for Bayern Munich in Germany and captaining England at international level.
Women's Ballon d'Or award
Spanish midfielder Alexia Putellas extended her reign at the top of the sport by collecting her third women's Ballon d'Or on Monday.
The 32-year-old crowned a decade of dominance in which she has won every major team and individual honour available in women's football. Putellas previously shared the summit of the game with her Barcelona teammate Aitana Bonmati, who won the award in 2023, 2024 and 2025. Putellas reclaimed the prize in London, her new adopted home, following a glittering career in Catalonia.
Putellas spent 20 years at Barcelona, including 14 seasons in the first team, helping transform the club into the dominant force in European women's football. During that era, Barcelona won four UEFA Women's Champions League titles from 2021 onwards and ten Spanish league championships. She departed the club this summer after winning a fourth European crown, which took her personal haul to 38 club trophies.
Coaching honours for De la Fuente and Romeu
Spain manager Luis de la Fuente was named the men's coach of the year at the London gala.
De la Fuente claimed the award after leading Spain to victory at the World Cup this summer. The Spanish coach finished ahead of Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique in the voting.
Pere Romeu was awarded the trophy for the best coach of a women's team on Monday in London.
Romeu took charge of Barcelona following their era of domestic and European dominance, guiding the Catalan side to further silverware across multiple competitions.
Kopa Trophy for Yamal and Lopez
Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal collected the Kopa Trophy as the world's best young player for the third consecutive year.
Yamal had aimed to capture the main Ballon d'Or award, but he ultimately placed third in the overall voting and had to settle for the youth prize. The Kopa Trophy is awarded to the top performing player under the age of 21 and is named after the late French forward Raymond Kopa, who won the Ballon d'Or in 1958.
Barcelona forward Vicky Lopez claimed the trophy for the best young female player after an outstanding season that featured a league and Champions League double with the Catalan club.
Lopez delivered a moving tribute to her mother on stage in London as she accepted the award.
Club of the Year trophies
Paris Saint-Germain retained their title as the men's Club of the Year, providing the only French triumph of the evening.
The French champions secured the award after completing a double in the Champions League. Attacker Ousmane Dembele, who won the 2025 Ballon d'Or, represented his Paris Saint-Germain teammates on the podium.
Dembele said that the players had created an incredible group and club where they fought for one another and worked together. He added that the squad tried to bring joy and entertainment to all spectators, neutral supporters, and their detractors.
Barcelona took the Women's Club of the Year trophy following another trophy-filled campaign across Europe and Spain.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta took to the stage to deliver a speech after accepting the award on behalf of the club.
Yashin Trophy winners
Barcelona goalkeeper Cata Coll won the women's Yashin Trophy, adding another accolade to the Catalan club's successful evening.
Coll established herself as Barcelona's first-choice goalkeeper during their run to domestic and European glory, performing consistently in high-stakes matches.
Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon took the men's Yashin Trophy as the best goalkeeper in the world at the 70th Ballon d'Or ceremony.
Simon earned the award after conceding only one goal throughout Spain's victorious World Cup campaign this summer. The trophy is named in honour of the former Soviet goalkeeper Lev Yashin, who won the Ballon d'Or in 1963 and remains the only goalkeeper to receive the main prize.
Top scorer and Socrates awards
Mexican forward Charlyn Corral was named the top female scorer of the season.
The Atletico striker matched Kane's achievement in the men's category after finishing as the leading goalscorer in women's football following a prolific domestic campaign in Spain.
Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka won the Socrates Award for his dedication to social and charitable initiatives.
The England international was recognised for his active role in community outreach and charitable projects off the pitch. The Socrates Award, created in 2022 and named after the Brazilian footballer and political activist Socrates, honours players who use their public profile to support charitable and humanitarian causes.
