Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane edged Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or after a late surge in voting, according to France Football editor Vincent Garcia.
Garcia revealed that Mbappe led the race for a significant period before Kane gained ground and secured the prestigious individual award by a narrow points margin.
The England captain claimed the Golden Ball at a ceremony in London, ending the country’s 25-year wait for a male Ballon d’Or winner.
Kane emerged ahead of Mbappe and Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal following a career-best goalscoring campaign, although the final outcome reportedly remained uncertain until late in the voting process.
The award was also preceded by confusion after the official Ballon d’Or website briefly listed Kane, Mbappe and Yamal as winners hours before the ceremony.
Kane ultimately received the award, matching former England striker Michael Owen’s achievement in 2001.
Mbappe finished second, his highest position in the voting, despite an impressive scoring record across La Liga, the Champions League and the World Cup.
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Garcia offered an insight into how the contest developed during the voting period, saying Mbappe had initially held the advantage before Kane mounted his challenge.
“I was watching the results in real time during the month of the vote,” Garcia told L’Equipe.
“Kylian Mbappe led the race for a long time, but Harry Kane came back into contention, and in the end, it was decided by a very, very small number of points.”
Kane, meanwhile, reflected on his journey to the top of world football after receiving the award, highlighting the challenges he overcame before establishing himself among the game’s leading players.
The former Tottenham Hotspur captain said his career had not followed a straightforward path, pointing to his loan spells and the hard work required to reach the highest level.
“It’s just the journey,” Kane said.
“For any young boy or girl who wants to achieve their dream, anything is possible.
“I hope my journey, it wasn’t straightforward, I didn’t go straight to the top, I had to experience a lot of loan moves and fight my way to get to where I am now.
“I hope that can give you inspiration, and thank you very much.”
Meanwhile, Yamal won the Kopa Trophy for a third consecutive year, further strengthening his reputation as one of football’s outstanding young talents.
The Barcelona winger, however, suggested that his teammate Pau Cubarsi deserved the recognition instead.
“I’d have liked it to be [teammate Pau] Cubarsi,” Yamal said during his speech.
“This prize should have been for him. He deserves it.”
With the individual honours decided, Kane will now turn his attention to helping Bayern Munich pursue Bundesliga and Champions League success.
Mbappe, meanwhile, will seek to respond to his narrow defeat by helping Real Madrid win more silverware, while Yamal and Cubarsi will continue their development at Barcelona.
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