Bayern Munich and England captain [Harry Kane](/harry-kane-crowned-ballon-d-or-winner-as-alexia-putellas-claims-third-women-1053) has won the Ballon d'Or, being crowned the world's best player at an awards ceremony in London.
The 33-year-old forward becomes the first English player to claim the prestigious individual honour since Michael Owen in 2001, according to BBC Sport. Kane is the fifth Englishman to receive the accolade, joining Sir Stanley Matthews (1956), Sir Bobby Charlton (1966), and Kevin Keegan (1978, 1979). Across the wider United Kingdom, Scotland's Denis Law (1964) and Northern Ireland's George Best (1968) are the only other historical winners.
Real Madrid and France forward Kylian Mbappé finished runner-up in the voting, while Barcelona and Spain winger Lamine Yamal secured third place.
A Record-Setting Campaign
Kane secured the award following a record-breaking third season with Bayern Munich. He scored 61 goals in 51 matches for the German side, setting the all-time club record for the most goals scored by a Bayern player in a single campaign. When including his performances for the England national team, Kane finished the season with 73 goals and eight assists in 65 appearances.
Only one player representing a club in Europe's top five leagues has ever scored more goals in a single season. Kane also becomes the first Bayern Munich player to win the Ballon d'Or since Karl-Heinz Rummenigge received the honour in 1981.
Kane won the award despite not securing either of European football's primary team trophies last season, having experienced semi-final exits in both the Champions League and the World Cup.
| Player | Country | Club (at time of win) | Year(s) Won |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stanley Matthews | England | Blackpool | 1956 |
| Bobby Charlton | England | Manchester United | 1966 |
| Kevin Keegan | England | Hamburger SV | 1978, 1979 |
| Michael Owen | England | Liverpool | 2001 |
| Karl-Heinz Rummenigge | West Germany | Bayern Munich | 1980, 1981 |
| Harry Kane | England | Bayern Munich | Current |
Reactions to the Historic Win
Speaking after receiving the trophy, Kane reflected on his career trajectory during an interview broadcast by DAZN:
Tributes followed from across English football. England manager Thomas Tuchel stated he was "delighted" by the decision, calling Kane's triumph a "huge honour." Prince William praised the former Tottenham Hotspur striker as a "brilliant captain" and "remarkable player."
In recognition of Kane's accomplishment, the Wembley Stadium arch was illuminated in gold on Monday night.
"Not many people would have thought it, and maybe even I wouldn't have thought I'd be this far. I had to go through many ups and downs, especially early in my career. I was never the person that people thought was going to be the superstar like some of the guys now. I had to bide my time and work hard, a lot of times it was me against my own mind and I had to come through it, I had to show self-belief, determination. I think that grounded me even when I did make it at the highest level to keep improving and keep getting better."
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the runners-up for the award?
Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé finished in second place, and Barcelona attacker Lamine Yamal finished third.
When did an English player last win the Ballon d'Or?
Prior to Kane's victory, Michael Owen [was the last](/who-was-the-last-english-player-to-win-the-ballon-d-or-and-when-was-it-3842) English recipient, winning the award in 2001 while playing for Liverpool.
How many goals did Harry Kane score during the evaluated season?
Kane scored 61 goals in 51 matches for Bayern Munich, establishing a new club single-season record. Across club and international fixtures, he registered 73 goals and eight assists in 65 games.
