Harry Kane has been crowned the2026 Ballon d/or winner.
The first Englishman in 25 years to win the award.
Harry Kane crowned the world’s best footballer at the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony in London.
In total, six times has an English player won the top accolade.
Harry Kane following in the Ballon d’or footsteps of the legend that is Kevin Keegan.
Special K left England in 1977 and his move to Germany saw him win the Ballon d’or in 1978 AND 1979 when with Hamburg.
Harry Kane copying that move to Germany but the 33-year-old winning the award due to his form with Bayern Munich and England.
These are the six occasions when the Ballon d’or has been won by an Englishman:
1956 Stanley Matthews
1966 Bobby Charlton
1978 Kevin Keegan
1979 Kevin Keegan
2001 Michael Owen
2026 Harry Kane
Amusing that of the first five times an Englishman won it, three of those occasions saw (someone who would later become…) a Newcastle United player win it.
Harry Kane after winning the award via his personal social media: “Work hard in silence. Let success be your noise.”
Alan Shearer declaring: “Congratulations Harry Kane, so so deserved.”
The top ten finishers last night in the Ballon d’or voting:
Harry Kane
Kylian Mbappe
Lamine Yamal
Rodri
Lionel Messi
Kvicha Kvaratskhelia
Ousmane Dembele
Erling Haaland
Michael Olise
Fabian Ruiz