Harry Kane wins 2026 Ballon d'Or, Poland's Ewa Pajor second in women's vote

England striker Harry Kane of Bayern Munich has won the 2026 Ballon d'Or. The award was presented at a gala in London, held to mark the 70th anniversary of the prize given by the magazine France Football. This year the ceremony was moved from Paris to the UK capital.

Kane ahead of the stars

According to Polish media reports, Kane beat the likes of Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal to the main trophy. Earlier the same evening he was also named striker of the year. Collecting that award, he said it had been an "incredible year" and without doubt his best season.

Barcelona's Yamal collected the Kopa Trophy for the best young player for the third time. Media reports say the 19-year-old said the honour should have gone to his club team-mate Pau Cubarsi.

Putellas wins, Pajor second

In the women's contest the Ballon d'Or went to Spain's Alexia Putellas, who has won the award in previous years. Ewa Pajor finished second, losing only to Putellas. The prize was presented by Michael Owen.

Other winners:

• young player of the year in women's football: Vicky Lopez,
• Socrates Award for humanitarian work: Bukayo Saka,
• female striker of the year: Charlyn Corral.

A few facts about the award

France Football has given the Ballon d'Or since 1956, and women have been honoured since 2018. Between 2010 and 2015 the magazine joined forces with world football's governing body FIFA, and a single player was honoured jointly.

For Poland, the key result is Pajor's second place, which confirms her position among the world's best in women's football.