Kane, 33, won the German Bundesliga, the German Cup and the German Super Cup during the 2025/26 season. He scored 61 goals in 51 appearances for Bayern across all competitions, including 36 in the league, earning him the European Golden Shoe.

The striker also represented England at the 2026 World Cup, where the team finished third after losing to Argentina in the semi-finals and beating France in the third-place play-off.

Kane scored six goals and provided one assist in seven appearances at the tournament. He has now become the fifth English player to win the Ballon d'Or.

Four Portuguese players were in contention for the award, which is jointly organised by France Football magazine and UEFA. Vitinha finished 14th, João Neves 19th and Nuno Mendes 23rd, all representing French club Paris Saint-Germain, while Bruno Fernandes, of English side Manchester United, finished 27th.

The men's Ballon d'Or record is held by Argentina's Lionel Messi, who has won the award eight times (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021 and 2022/23), three more than Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo.

Women's Ballon d'Or

In the women's category, Spain's Alexia Putellas won the Ballon d'Or for the third time, having previously claimed the award in 2021 and 2021/22. She succeeded compatriot Aitana Bonmatí, who had won the previous three editions.

Putellas, 32, played for FC Barcelona during the 2025/26 season, winning the Spanish league, cup and Super Cup, as well as the UEFA Women's Champions League. She also won the UEFA Women's Nations League with Spain.

The footballer now plays for English club London City Lionesses.

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