For the first time in over two decades, a British player has won the Ballon d'Or.  Harry Kane contended with Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal, Rodri, and Lionel Messi, who rounded out the top five.

The other five in contention for football's most prestigious individual award were Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in sixth position, followed by 2025 winner Ousmane Dembélé in seventh. Erling Haaland finished eighth, with Michael Olise taking ninth place and Fabián Ruiz completing the top 10.

The ceremony, hosted by Thierry Henry and Kate Scott, and held at the London Palladium in London, England on Monday, October 27 saw in attendance Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal, who finished second and third respectively, the eight time Ballon d'Or winner  Lionel Messi, who was also nominated and finished fifth in the voting as well as Alexia Putellas, who won the Women's Ballon d'Or for the female category.

Harry Kane enjoyed a remarkable 2025-26 campaign, scoring 73 goals for Bayern Munich and England across all competitions to claim the European Golden Shoe.

The striker helped Bayern secure the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal titles. He also scored 14 goals in the Champions League, finishing behind only Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe, who netted 15, despite Bayern's semi-final exit to eventual champions Paris Saint-Germain.

On the international stage, Kane led England to third place at the World Cup, their best finish since lifting the trophy in 1966. He scored six goals during the tournament, including two late strikes against DR Congo to rescue his side and another against Mexico at the Azteca in the round of 16.

Kane has continued to make history for England this season, equalling Peter Shilton's record of 125 international appearances, which had stood since 1990. Already England's all-time leading scorer, he has now taken his tally to 91 goals.