Football: Kane claims Ballon d'Or after 73-goal season

Harry Kane won the Ballon d'Or on Monday, claiming football's top individual prize after a campaign in which he scored 73 goals for club and country. The England captain finished the 2025-26 season as Europe's leading goalscorer, edging out Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal in a competitive field that also included Rodri and Lionel Messi.

Kane is the first Englishman to receive the award since Michael Owen in 2001. His victory caps a period of sustained success that began when he joined Bayern Munich in 2023. During the 2025-26 season, the 33-year-old striker netted 61 goals in 51 appearances for the German club, helping the team secure a domestic league and cup double.

His form carried over to international competition as well. Kane scored six goals during the World Cup, leading England to the semi-finals. His performance solidified his status as the nation's all-time leading marksman and record World Cup scorer. Voters selected him based on a season of consistent output rather than a single spectacular moment.

In his acceptance speech, Kane described the experience as almost speechless. He credited the London location of the ceremony for making the night special. "It's about the journey," he said. "Anything is possible, work hard when nobody is watching." He thanked his coaches, Tottenham Hotspur, and his wife Kate, acknowledging that he had to overcome early struggles and loan spells to reach his peak.

Alexia Putellas won the Ballon d'Or Feminin for the third time. The Spain midfielder won a treble with Barcelona in the 2025-26 campaign, adding the Spanish Super Cup to her tally. She left the club in July after 14 years to join London City Lionesses in the Women's Super League.

The ceremony recognized other top performers as well. Lamine Yamal won the young player award for the third time, while Vicky Lopez took the women's youth prize for the second consecutive year. Luis de la Fuente was named men's coach of the year, and Barcelona's Pere Romeu received the women's coaching honor.

Unai Simon won the men's goalkeeper award, and Cata Coll took the women's equivalent. Paris Saint-Germain was named men's club of the year, while Barcelona won the women's award. Kane also took home the men's striker of the year prize, and Charlyn Corral was named the top women's striker. Bukayo Saka received the Socrates Award for humanitarian work.