At the London Palladium Theater France Football crowns the English player, who also won the award for best striker. Alexia Putellas also triumphs. Luis de la Fuente awarded best men's coach, while Lamine Yamal wins the Raymond Kopa trophy again. Recognitions also for PSG and Barcelona
England and Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane wins the 2026 Ballon d'Or, while Alexia Putellas wins the women's award for the third time. The awards ceremony took place in London, where Spain and Barcelona were among the great protagonists of the evening, collecting various individual and team awards. Kane prevailed thanks to the 61 goals scored with the Bayern shirt (semifinalist in Europe), a haul that rises to 73 if we include those scored with England (third place in the 2026 World Cup). The 70th edition of the award, established in 1956 by France Football, was exceptionally held in London to celebrate the anniversary and pay homage to Stanley Matthews, the first winner in history. The gala was hosted by Thierry Henry and Kate Scott, in front of the stars of international football (THE SKY SPORT STORY).
Kane rewarded by Ronaldo the Phenomenon
After winning the best striker award, Kane crowned a season that he himself defined as the best of his career with one of the highest awards for a footballer. The award was presented to him by Ronaldo the Phenomenon, while the award for best striker of the year was presented to him by Alan Shearer. The 33-year-old beats Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid) and Lamine Yamal (Barcelona). Also in the top ten are Rodri (Barcelona), Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Paris Saint-Germain), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Ousmane Dembele (Paris Saint-Germain), Erling Haaland (Manchester City) and Fabian Ruiz (Paris Saint-Germain). Kane wins recognition for the first time and succeeds Ousmane Dembélé in the roll of honor (2025). He is the fifth Englishman to do so after Stanley Matthews (1956), Bobby Charlton (1966), Kevin Keegan (1978, 1979) and Michael Owen (2001). In the 2025/2026 season he scored 73 goals overall: 61 with Bayern and 12 with England. With the Bavarian club he won the Bundesliga, German Cup and German Super Cup. At the World Cup he scored six goals, contributing to the Three Lions' third place, their best finish since victory in 1966.
Putellas, third female Ballon d'Or
In women's football, the most coveted award went to the Spanish Alexia Putellas, who won her third Ballon d'Or after those in 2021 and 2022. After 14 years at Barcelona, the player now wears the London City shirt. In accepting the recognition, she addressed a thought to her former teammates from the Catalan team: "All of you would have deserved it like me, it was a pleasure to be one of you." The midfielder led Barcelona to a trophy-rich season, with La Liga, Queen's Cup, Spanish Super Cup and Champions League, before moving to London City Lionesses. In Europe she also left her mark thanks to her decisive performances in the final phase of the Champions League, a competition in which she was elected best player.
The other winners
Paris Saint-Germain was also among the protagonists of the evening, awarded as men's team of the year after another season at the top of Europe. Dembélé, outgoing winner, celebrated the collective journey of the Parisian club, underlining the value of the group and shared work. The French team, protagonist of two consecutive Champions League triumphs, thus confirms itself as one of the great protagonists of continental football. The Kopa Trophy for the best young player still goes to Yamal, 19 years old: "It's an honor to be here and receive this award," he said, dedicating a thought to his teammate Pau Cubarsí: "I think he should have won it." The award for best men's coach went to Spain coach Luis de la Fuente, who wanted to share the credit with his players: "This is not an individual award, but for an entire team." Unai Simón instead received the award for best goalkeeper: "I have to thank my parents and my brother, who passed on principles and values to me."
