Harry Kane Claims 2026 Ballon d'Or, Edges Out Mbappé

Harry Kane, the striker for Bayern Munich, won the 2026 Ballon d'Or, narrowly beating Kylian Mbappé. France Football editor Vincent Garcia revealed that the margin was smaller than the 41 points that separated Rodri and Vinícius Júnior in 2024.

Kane received the award at the London Palladium on October 26. He scored 73 goals in 65 appearances for Bayern Munich and the England national team, helping Bayern secure the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal titles.

Kane also scored six goals at the 2026 World Cup, where England finished third. This victory marks Kane's first Ballon d'Or win and makes him the first English player to win the award since Michael Owen in 2001.

Mbappé finished second, achieving his highest position in the rankings, while Barcelona's Lamine Yamal took third. The exact points difference between Kane and Mbappé will be disclosed when the full voting figures are published.