Harry Kane has won the 2026 men’s Ballon d’Or and the Gerd Müller Trophy after a record-breaking season in which he scored 73 goals for Bayern Munich and England.
The England captain received football’s most prestigious individual award at a ceremony at London’s Palladium on Monday, October 26, becoming the first Englishman to win the Ballon d’Or since Michael Owen in 2001.
Kane finished ahead of France and Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé, who placed second, while Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal finished third.
The 33-year-old’s victory capped a prolific campaign for Bayern, where he scored 61 goals in 51 appearances across all competitions. His contribution helped the German club win the Bundesliga title and the German Cup.
Kane also claimed the Gerd Müller Trophy, which recognises the leading goalscorer across club and international football during the relevant season. His combined tally of 73 goals in 65 appearances included 12 goals for England, alongside his 61 strikes for Bayern.
It was the second time Kane had received the Gerd Müller Trophy. He previously shared the award with Mbappé in 2024 after both players scored 52 goals during the assessment period.
Kane’s scoring record was particularly notable in the Bundesliga, where he finished as the league’s leading scorer with 36 goals. He also scored 14 times in the Champions League and added 10 goals in the German Cup, including a hat-trick in the final against Stuttgart. He scored once in the German Super Cup to complete his 61-goal club tally.
His performances across the season strengthened his case for the Ballon d’Or, with his consistency in front of goal setting him apart from other leading contenders.
Reacting to the award, Kane said he was almost speechless and described winning the prize in London as especially meaningful.
“Being here in London has made it extra special,” he said, thanking those who voted for him and acknowledging the quality of the other nominees.
The victory marks a significant milestone in Kane’s career. Despite establishing himself as one of England’s most prolific forwards during his time at Tottenham Hotspur, he had never previously finished higher than 10th in the Ballon d’Or rankings.
His move to Bayern Munich in 2023 brought him into a team competing regularly for major domestic and European honours. The 2025/26 campaign delivered another step forward individually, with his goal return helping Bayern secure two major domestic trophies.
Kane’s double recognition at the ceremony underlined the scale of his scoring achievement: he was named the world’s outstanding player while also receiving the award for the season’s leading goalscorer.
With the Ballon d’Or, the Gerd Müller Trophy and the Bundesliga’s top-scorer distinction, Kane ended the campaign with individual honours reflecting his influence for both club and country.
