Harry Kane becomes first English player to win Ballon d'Or in 25 years

Harry Kane has made footballing history by becoming the first English player to win the Ballon d'Or in 25 years. The 33-year-old Bayern Munich striker and England captain received the prestigious award at a ceremony held at the London Palladium, ending a drought for English players that dates back to Michael Owen's victory in 2001. Kane triumphed over a formidable shortlist that featured French forward Kylian Mbappé and Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, who finished second and third respectively, to be crowned the world's best footballer for 2026.

Kane's victory followed a prolific individual season where he netted a record 61 goals for club and country, earning him the European Golden Shoe. His individual excellence outshined his competitors, with his scoring record being the decisive factor even as major team trophies with Bayern Munich remained elusive during the campaign. The achievement was especially significant for his club, as Kane became the first Bayern Munich player to receive the honour since 1981. During the ceremony, which saw the arches of Wembley Stadium illuminated in his honour, Kane expressed his gratitude to his supporters and reflected on the journey of his career, while receiving congratulations from England manager Thomas Tuchel and Prince William.

On the international stage, Kane continued to break records while leading the Three Lions. He captained England to a third-place finish at the World Cup, where he was a key contributor with six goals, including vital strikes in the knockout stages. During the 2025-26 period, he also matched Peter Shilton's long-standing record of 125 England caps and extended his national goal-scoring record to 91. His impact was such that he joined an elite group of English legends to have won the award, including Stanley Matthews, Bobby Charlton, and Kevin Keegan.

The 2026 rankings also highlighted the standing of African talent in global football. Morocco's Achraf Hakimi finished 13th in the final standings, while Senegal's Sadio Mané was ranked joint 29th. The award resonated significantly in Ghana, where Black Stars goalkeeper Benjamin Asare congratulated Kane on social media. Asare shared a trending post featuring the two players together following a goalless draw between Ghana and England at the World Cup, a gesture that was widely celebrated by Ghanaian sports fans as they joined in recognizing the striker's historic achievement.