Harry Kane is the best footballer in the world for 2026! The English goalscorer and Bayern Munich striker has won the first Ballon d'Or of his career, finishing ahead of his main rivals, Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal, at the ceremony in London. One of the most prestigious individual awards in sport was presented to him by legendary Brazilian striker Ronaldo Nazário. The biggest individual honour has finally arrived for a man who has been synonymous with elite goalscoring class for years, but also with an unrelenting pursuit of trophies. After numerous individual achievements and records, Kane has finally reached the moment when his name is added to the list of Ballon d'Or winners.HARRY KANE IS THE 2026 BALLON D'OR! #ballondor https://t.co/k3CUlwLF1E— Ballon d'Or (@ballondor) October 26, 2026 Kylian Mbappé finished second in the overall Ballon d'Or rankings, followed by Lamine Yamal in third, Rodri in fourth, Lionel Messi in fifth, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in sixth, Ousmane Dembélé in seventh, Erling Haaland in eighth, Michael Olise in ninth and Fabián Ruiz in tenth. The world's best female footballer was also announced earlier, with Alexia Putellas receiving the award. The Spanish international and Barcelona player won the third Ballon d'Or of her career, following her triumphs in 2021 and 2022. This puts her level with her compatriot Aitana Bonmatí, who won the prestigious award three years in a row, in 2023, 2024 and 2025.2 – Only two players from Europe’s top-five leagues have reached 70+ goals across club and country in a single season this century: Lionel Messi in 2011/12 (82 goals) Harry Kane in 2025/26 (73 goals) Virtuosos. https://t.co/qO1gI0HIaM— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 26, 2026 The most emotional moment of the evening came when Harry Kane took the microphone and began thanking the people who had accompanied him on his journey towards the biggest individual honour. His parents held a special place in his speech, as he paid tribute to their support throughout his upbringing."We lived for football, we talked about football. Thank you for passing on all your love for football to me. Mum and Dad, you never put pressure on me, but you always encouraged me to become better. Thank you, I love you" Kane said.He then addressed his children, who had watched the ceremony from home."I can't wait to get home and celebrate this with you. I love you."##EDITORS_CHOICE##He reserved a particularly emotional message for his wife, Kate, whom he called his best friend and the person without whose support he would not have achieved his dreams."Kate, my wife and my best friend. We've been through ups and downs, but you've always been there. I felt that you wanted this award even more than I did. I know that my dreams became yours and that you sacrificed so much for me. This is a trophy for both of us. Thank you, I love you, and I can't wait for us to celebrate together," the visibly emotional Englishman said.Harry Kane’s speech after being announced winner of 2026 Ballon D’or #BallonDor https://t.co/EG4adh3Jdz— DRE💔 (@Motion_Boy_) October 26, 2026 Harry Kane has thus become only the fifth Englishman in history to win the Ballon d'Or, ending a drought for English football that had lasted exactly a quarter of a century. The last Englishman to receive football's most prestigious individual award was Michael Owen, who, as a Liverpool striker, finished ahead of Raúl and Oliver Kahn in 2001. Kevin Keegan holds a special place among this select group, as the only Englishman to have won the Ballon d'Or twice. The former Liverpool and Hamburg striker was named Europe's best footballer in 1978 and 1979, on both occasions as a player for the German club. He was also honoured with a special in memoriam tribute at this evening's ceremony, having passed away three months ago following a battle with a serious illness. It is worth recalling that the statistics which propelled Kane to football's summit are truly extraordinary. 73 goals and eight assists in 65 matches! That amounts to 81 direct goal contributions, or an average of 1.25 per match. Such goalscoring output was the strongest argument in favour of the English striker, who won the German league title with Bayern last season and a bronze medal at the World Cup with England.Ballon d'Or 2026 overall rankings:1. Harry Kane (Bayern Munich, England)2. Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid, France)3. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona, Spain)4. Rodri (Barcelona, Spain)5. Lionel Messi (Inter Miami, Argentina)6. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Paris Saint-Germain, Georgia)7. Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain, France)8. Erling Haaland (Manchester City, Norway)9. Michael Olise (Bayern Munich, France)10. Fabián Ruiz (Paris Saint-Germain, Spain)11. Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid, England)12. Pau Cubarsí (Barcelona, Spain)13. Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain, Morocco)14. Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain, Portugal)15. Declan Rice (Arsenal, England)16. Ferran Torres (Paris Saint-Germain, Spain)17. Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid, Brazil)18. Marc Cucurella (Real Madrid, Spain)19. João Neves (Paris Saint-Germain, Portugal)20. Willian Pacho (Paris Saint-Germain, Ecuador)21. Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal, Brazil)22. Lautaro Martínez (Inter, Argentina)23. Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain, Portugal)24. Luis Díaz (Bayern Munich, Colombia)25. Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain, France)26. Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich, France)27. Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United, Portugal)28. Julián Quiñones (Al-Qadsiah, Mexico)29. William Saliba (Arsenal, France)30. Sadio Mané (Al-Nassr, Senegal)
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