Ballon d’Or 2026: Harry Kane and Alexia Putellas Crowned in London Ceremony

The 70th edition of the Ballon d'Or ceremony took place in London, celebrating the standout individual and team achievements in professional football. Bayern Munich and England forward Harry Kane secured the men's Ballon d'Or, marking the first time an English player has won the prestigious award in 25 years. Meanwhile, Alexia Putellas captured the women's Ballon d'Or for the third time in her career.

Major Winners and Category Honotharies

Alongside the top individual prizes, several other athletes and clubs were recognized for their performances throughout the season:

* **Men's Striker of the Year:** Harry Kane (Bayern Munich and England) * **Women's Striker of the Year:** Charlyn Corral (Pachuca and Mexico) * **Men's Club of the Year:** Paris Saint-Germain * **Women's Club of the Year:** Barcelona * **Men's Goalkeeper of the Year:** Unai Simon (Athletic Club and Spain) * **Women's Goalkeeper of the Year:** Cata Coll (Barcelona and Spain) * **Men's Coach of the Year:** Luis de la Fuente (Spain) * **Women's Coach of the Year:** Pere Romeu (Barcelona) * **Men's Young Talent:** Lamine Yamal (Barcelona and Spain) * **Women's Young Talent:** Vicky Lopez (Barcelona and Spain) * **Socrates Award for Social Action:** Bukayo Saka (for his Big Shoe charity work)

Background and Context

Putellas's victory highlights another successful campaign tied to Barcelona's dominant continental form, following their success in the Champions League. For Kane, the award caps a prolific scoring run with Bayern Munich and the England national team. The event also featured tributes to football figures and acknowledgments of ongoing humanitarian efforts within the sport, notably through Bukayo Saka's recognition for charitable initiatives.

Reader Impact and Verification

Football fans and followers interested in reviewing the complete breakdown of voting tallies, category nominees, and official transcripts from the London gala can consult the live coverage provided by the event's media partners.

Readers can verify the official announcements and full winner lists directly through the [Guardian Live Coverage](https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/oct/26/ballon-dor-2026-updates-from-70th-edition-in-london-live).