By Tyler Gullahorn, Staff Writer
On Oct. 26, England captain Harry Kane of Bayern Munich won the 2026 men’s Ballon d’Or, finishing ahead of France’s Kylian Mbappé and Spain’s Lamine Yamal.
The Ballon d’Or is an award given to the “best player in the world” which is voted upon by a collection of sports journalists.
The ceremony was held in London. Kane is the first Englishman to win the award since Michael Owen in 2001. It is his first Ballon d’Or.
Kane scored 61 goals in all competitions for his club in the 2025-26 season. That is 19 more than any other player in Europe’s top five leagues and the most by a player in a single season since Cristiano Ronaldo scored 61 for Real Madrid in the 2014-15 season.
Including international matches, he scored 73 goals. He also helped England finish third at the World Cup. Kane won the men’s Gerd Müller Trophy, an award which is given to the top scorer.
Harry Kane during England vs. Panama on June 27 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
“Harry Kane definitely deserved to win the Ballon d’Or after completing the fourth best statistical attacking season this century. After recording 81 goal contributions in 65 games, as well as leading both Bayern Munich and England to silverware, a place among the greats was well deserved,” sophomore finance major Christian Schlidt said.
Mbappe of Real Madrid finished second,Yamal of Spain finished third, Spain captain Rodri finished fourth and Lionel Messi of Argentina finished fifth.
Other Men’s Awards
Yamal won the Kopa Trophy for the best young player for the third year in a row. He was involved in 41 goals for Barcelona in all competitions, with 24 goals and 17 assists. Barcelona won LaLiga and the Spanish Super Cup. During his acceptance speech, Yamal said teammate Pau Cubarsí deserved the award. Cubarsí was named Young Player of the Tournament at the World Cup.
“Yamal has proven that he is a top youngster by winning this award three years in a row. It is crazy to think that players at his age are not only playing at this level, but placing top three in the Ballon d’Or rankings as well,” sophomore nursing major Brokk Olberg said.
Unai Simón of Athletic Club won the Yashin Trophy as the best goalkeeper. He conceded one goal in eight World Cup games as Spain won the tournament, the fewest goals allowed by any World Cup winning team.
Luis de la Fuente won the Johan Cruyff Trophy as men’s coach of the year. He led Spain on a 42-match unbeaten run, the longest by any European or South American national team.
The Ballon d’Or is displayed in the FIFA museum in Zurich
Paris Saint-Germain was named men’s club of the year. They beat Arsenal in the Champions League final for a second straight title.
Women’s Awards
Alexia Putellas won the women’s Ballon d’Or for the third time, equaling the record set by Aitana Bonmatí last year. Putellas, a former Barcelona captain, now plays for London City Lionesses.
Barcelona won the other major women’s awards after a season in which they won all four trophies they competed for. Vicky López won the women’s Kopa Trophy for the second year in a row. She scored 10 goals and had nine assists, the most of any teenager in Europe’s top five women’s leagues.
Goalkeeper Cata Coll won the women’s Yashin Trophy. She kept 11 clean sheets in 17 league games and allowed six goals. Head coach Pere Romeu won the women’s Cruyff Trophy after Barcelona won 29 of 30 league games with a goal differential of +121. Barcelona was named women’s club of the year.
Charlyn Corral of Mexico and Pachuca won the women’s Gerd Müller Trophy. She is the first Mexican player to win an award at the Ballon d’Or ceremony.
The bar has been set high for this upcoming season, and the ceremony will be back next year to crown the new best player in world soccer.