Harry Kane and Alèxia Putellas win men’s and women’s Ballon d’Or awards
England's Harry Kane and Spain's Alèxia Putellas have been crowned the world's best footballers, winning the prestigious Ballon d’Or awards.
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Harry Kane has been awarded the 2026 Men's Ballon d'Or, marking the first time an English player has claimed the prestigious football prize in 25 years. The Bayern Munich striker received the honor at a ceremony held in London on Monday, October 26, 2026. Kane's exceptional 2025-2026 season saw him score 73 goals for club and country, leading Bayern Munich to a domestic double and captaining England to a third-place finish at the FIFA World Cup. The last English recipient of the award was Michael Owen in 2001.
Spain's Alèxia Putellas also celebrated a significant achievement, securing her third Women's Ballon d'Or. This latest victory follows her previous wins in 2021 and 2022. Putellas was recognized for her stellar performance in the 2025-2026 season, where she played a pivotal role in leading her former club Barcelona to multiple trophies, including the Women's Champions League, before her move to London City Lionesses.
What each outlet emphasizes
- CNN: announces 'Harry Kane and Alèxia Putellas win men’s and women’s Ballon d’Or awards'
- BBC: details Kane ending England's '25-year wait' and Putellas winning 'women's top football prize'
- AJ: reports Kane becoming 'first Englishman in 25 years to win Ballon d’Or'
Read it at the source
theguardian.com ↗ foxsports.com ↗ channelnewsasia.com ↗ goal.com ↗ englandfootball.com ↗