Putellas and Kane win 2026 Ballon d'Or as PSG retain men's team of year prize

Kane's success comes 70 years after the Blackpool and England winger Stanley Matthews won the inaugural trophy for the best player.

Matthews was presented with his award in front of a handful of guests in a small room at Blackpool Town Hall in north-west England.

Seven decades on, Kane received the sport's most prestigious individual prize from the former Brazil striker Ronaldo during a star-studded gala ceremony at the London Palladium.

In an emotional acceptance speech, the 33-year-old thanked former coaches as well as his family.

"It was always about working hard," said Kane. "It was always about improving, it was always about learning.”

Kane, who was born in London, becomesthe fifth Englishman and the first since Michael Owen in 2001 to win the award. The accolade followed less than 30 minutes after Kane claimed the 2026 striker of the year trophy.

Feats with Bayern Munich and England

During the Ballon d'Or judging period between 3 August 2025 and 19 July 2026, Kane scored 73 goals.

His 61 strikes helped Bayern win a 34th German top-flight title and a 21st German Cup.

Kane notched up 12 goals as he skippered England through the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign and at the World Cup where they finished third.

Third win for Putellas

Putellas, who won the Ballon d'Or in 2021 and 2022, was honoured for her performances with Barcelona and Spain before her move to London City Lionesses in July. Alexia Putellas added trhe 2026 women's Ballon d"Or to her trophies from 2021 and 2022.

“To all the boys and girls in the world, if you want to play football, play football, it doesn't matter if you're a boy, a girl or where you come from," said the 32-year-old.

Putellas added: "Don't listen if someone tells you you can't do it, just do it, believe in yourself – that's the most important thing, if you have a dream, believe in it, even if, at some point you have to start from zero, and the most important thing, do it with love and passion.”

PSG retain team of the year prize

The 2025 Ballon d'Or winnerOusmane Dembélé, who was injured during Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League match last Wednesday, collected the 2026 club of the year prize on behalf of his PSG teammates who were playing in a Ligue 1 fixture against Lyon.

PSG were hailed for retaining the Champions League trophy and winning Ligue 1.

In the women's category, Barcelona were deemed the club of the year for racking up the women's Champions League; the Spanish league; the Copa de la Reina and the Spanish Super Cup.

Elsewhere during the awards ceremony, Charlyn Corral of Pachuca and Mexico claimed the women's trophy for striker of the year.

Luis de la Fuente won the men's team coach of the year after steering Spain to the 2026 World Cup while Pere Romeu collected the award for best coach of a women's team.

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Lamine Yamal, who was tipped for the top men's prize, won the award for the best male player under 21 for the third year in a row and Vicky Lopez from Barcelona took the women's award for the second consecutive season. Barcelona and Spain forward Lamine Yamal won the 2026 Ballon d'Or for best young male player under 21.

The women's goalkeeper of year award went to Cata Coll of Barcelona and Spain while her compatriot Unai Simon won the men's accolade for his performances with the Spanish outfit Athletic Club and the Spain national team.

During the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada, Simon conceded one goal in eight matches as Spain won the crown for a second time.