Soccer-England's Kane wins Ballon d'Or, Putellas claims women's award

Harry Kane completed his long quest for football's highest individual honour on Monday, the Bayern Munich and England striker winning ​the Ballon d'Or after a record-breaking season that cemented his status as one of the game's greatest goalscorers.

Kane ​was the first Englishman to win the prestigious award since Michael Owen in ‌2001. "Wow, ​wow, wow!" Kane said after taking the stage. "I am almost speechless. Being here in London has made it extra special. Made it a good omen for me tonight. Thank you to everyone who voted for me. I can imagine it was tough this year.

"Some world-class players in the room tonight. Congratulations to all the winners and nominees tonight and ‌impressive showing determination and hard work can really achieve." Spain midfielder Alexia Putellas won the Ballon d'Or Feminin for the third time.

Kane's move to Bayern in 2023 brought the team trophies that had long eluded him. The England captain was prolific last season, scoring 61 goals in 51 games for Bayern across all competitions as the German side completed a domestic league and cup double.

Kane was Europe's leading goalscorerbut his influence stretched far beyond club football. He netted six goals at the World Cup and captained England to ‌the semi-finals, combining his clinical finishing with the leadership and composure that have defined his international career.

The award represented the culmination of a remarkable journey. Few players have experienced a career arc quite like Kane's, and he thanked ‌all of his coaches in an emotional speech, plus Tottenham Hotspur and his wife Kate. Once struggling to establish himself at Spurs as a youngster, being sent out on numerous loans, he developed into one of the most complete centre forwards of his generation, capable of scoring every type of goal as well as operating as a playmaker.

"It's about the journey," Kane said. "Anything is possible, work hard when nobody is watching. "For any young boy or girl wanting to achieve their dreams, anything is possible. I wasn't the kid who went straight to the top. I had to experience the downs. I ⁠had to find ​my way to be the very best right now."

Putellas echoed that ⁠message. "It doesn’t matter whether you’re a boy or a girl, or where you come from," she said.

"Don’t listen to those who tell you no. Just do it. If you have a dream, pursue it, even if you have to start from zero. The most important thing is to do ⁠it with love and passion." Putellas also paid tribute to her friends, family and team, who helped her get back to her best after knee problems stemming from a cruciate ligament injury in July 2022.

"I know that if I was able to enjoy myself again last ​season, it was thanks to all of you," she said. CONSISTENCY

The Ballon d'Or has often rewarded players whose success was built on flair and spectacle, but Kane's triumph is a tribute to consistency, intelligence and productivity on ⁠an exceptional scale. Week after week, he delivered. Match after match, he decided contests. There were no prolonged slumps and few quiet games.

Kane ended last season with 73 goals for club and country. More importantly, those goals arrived in moments of genuine significance, helping Bayern collect trophies and driving England deep into the ⁠biggest ​tournament in the sport. The competition for this year's award was fierce. Kylian Mbappe broke World Cup scoring records. Lamine Yamal helped Spain to World Cup glory. Yet

Voters ultimately chose 33-year-old Kane, however, with Mbappe second, followed by Lamine, Rodri and Lionel Messi. At 33, Kane finally adding a Ballon d'Or to a legacy that already placed him among football's greatest strikers as England's all-time leading marksman and record World Cup scorer.

Putellas was presented with the women's award after winning the treble ⁠with Barcelona in the 2025-26 campaign, in addition to the Spanish Super Cup. She moved to Women's Super League side London City Lionesses in July after 14 years at Barca. Spain and Barcelona players won the young talent awards, Lamine ⁠picking up his third trophy and Vicky Lopez taking home the ⁠women's award for the second successive year.

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente was named men's coach of the year, while Barcelona's Pere Romeu won the women's coaching award. The men's goalkeeper award went to Unai Simon of Spain and Athletic Bilbao, while Cata Coll of Spain and Barcelona took the women's award.

Paris St Germain won the men's club of the year ‌award, while Barcelona picked up the women's ‌honours. Kane won the men's striker of the year prize and Charlyn Corral was named top women's striker.