Kane ends England’s 25-year Ballon d’Or wait
Harry Kane lifted the Ballon d’Or on a glittering night in London, ending England’s 25‑year wait for the award as he accepted the trophy at the Palladium theatre during the 2026 ceremony. The England captain’s emotional speech followed a night of celebrity performances and a crowded programme that stretched past 11pm.
Ceremony atmosphere
The event opened with French Montana performing in a spotless white tuxedo on an open‑air double‑deck bus, while hosts Kate Scott and Thierry Henry arrived half an hour late to add charm. It was staged at a fancy hotel near Oxford Circus, turning the Ballon d’Or into a celebrity‑culture showcase rather than a pure sporting gala. Burna Boy later presented the Sócrates award to Bukayo Saka, pausing to declare, “definitely, one of them’s standing right there,” as he looked at Thierry Henry.
Kane’s emotional tribute
When Kane stepped onto the stage, he gazed shyly at his golden orb before thanking everyone, his parents, his wife, and even José Mourinho, before a strained voice gave way to tears. He highlighted his 89 goals scored since August 2025, his European golden boot, his role as Bundesliga champion and World Cup semi‑final captain, and his reputation as a model of professionalism. The England captain described himself as the nicest man in football, a claim that resonated with the audience.
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Historic win and full results
Kane’s victory made him the first English Ballon d’Or winner since Michael Owen in 2001, beating Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal for the men’s prize. Alexia Putellas, now with London City Lionesses, secured her third women’s Ballon d’Or, tying Aitana Bonmati’s record. The men’s ranking placed Mbappe second and Yamal third, with Rodri fourth and Lionel Messi fifth.
Other individual honours included Lamine Yamal winning the Men’s Young Talent of the Year, Vicky Lopez taking the Women’s Young Talent award, and Unai Simon being named Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year. Spain manager Luis de la Fuente, who collected the coach of the year award, opened his speech with, “I hope in the future I will become in English better.”
The ceremony’s blend of music, video tributes and endless applause underscored the tension between sport and spectacle, a point highlighted by the description of the event as “horrendous yet supremely popular.” Yet for England, the night marked a historic milestone, cementing Kane’s status as the most deserving men’s player of the Year.