Translated from the original Spanish article. Read in Spanish
News published on October 27, 2026. The situation may have changed since then.
It finally happened. Harry Kane won the 2026 Ballon d'Or, the award for the world's best footballer, at a ceremony that was also historic for another reason: it wasn't held in Paris.
A ceremony in London
The ceremony took place on Monday, October 26 at the London Palladium, a famous London theater. According to reports, it was the first time the Ballon d'Or gala wasn't held in Paris, the city where the award was born.
For Kane, an Englishman, it was almost like winning at home.
The podium
Kane, Bayern Munich striker and England captain, beat two much younger stars:
Kylian Mbappé finished second and Lamine Yamal third. Lionel Messi, who had played his sixth World Cup months earlier, finished fifth.
Harry Kane won his first Ballon d'Or at 33.
A season of goals
Why did he win? The goals. According to the press, Kane scored 73 goals in 65 matches for club and country. With Bayern Munich alone, the season ended with 61 goals in 51 official matches.
Kane won his first Ballon d'Or at 33. For much of his career he was known as a goalscorer without big trophies, and this award comes as the recognition many were waiting for.
The other winners
The night also brought other notable awards:
Spain's Alexia Putellas won the women's Ballon d'Or, the third of her career. PSG was named best men's team, and FC Barcelona best women's team. In addition, Mexico's Charlyn Corral was recognized as striker of the year.
Alexia Putellas won her third women's Ballon d'Or.
An award with history
The Ballon d'Or has been presented every year by the French magazine France Football since 1956. The ceremony leaving Paris for the first time shows how much the award has changed: today it's a global event, followed all over the world.
More stories on video
This story is web-only. Every week on our social media we tell the stories behind brands and the news.
Did Kane deserve the Ballon d'Or… or should someone else have won it?
Tell us in the comments on our social media.
Sources (in Spanish)
- Resultado, podio y lugar de la gala: Infobae, La Nación y TUDN (26 de octubre de 2026).
- Goles de Kane en la temporada: Vistazo y Mediotiempo.
- Lista de ganadores: Claro Sports y TUDN.
Photos are from Wikimedia Commons under free licenses; the author and license are shown under each image.
