Bayern Munich and England striker Harry Kane has won the men’s Ballon d’Or for the first time, becoming the first English player to claim football’s most prestigious individual award since Michael Owen in 2001. The 33-year-old scored 73 goals for club and country last season, finishing ahead of Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal and Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé.
Kane received the award at a ceremony in London on Monday, October 26, marking the first time the Ballon d’Or event has been held on English soil. Traffic delays pushed the ceremony back by almost an hour, but the evening ended with a landmark moment for the England captain.
His prolific scoring helped Bayern Munich secure a domestic league and cup double. He also scored six goals as England finished third at the World Cup.
Kane thanked his Bayern teammates after collecting the trophy, crediting the competition within the squad for helping him reach another level.
His move to Germany in 2023 was a turning point in his career, he said, despite some observers initially viewing the transfer as a risk. Since joining Bayern, Kane has added domestic honours to his record, although European silverware has remained elusive after previous defeats in the Champions League and European Championship finals.
The Ballon d’Or recognises a season in which his consistency in front of goal established him among the leading players in world football.
Putellas claims third women’s Ballon d’Or
Barcelona midfielder Alexia Putellas won the women’s Ballon d’Or for the third time, adding to her victories in 2021 and 2022.
Putellas played a key role in Barcelona’s Champions League triumph last season before moving to London City Lionesses. Her latest award marks a return to the top of the women’s game after an anterior cruciate ligament injury disrupted her career four years ago.
She succeeds Spain teammate Aitana Bonmatí, who had won the prize for the previous three years but missed much of last season with a broken leg.
Putellas said the injury had changed her outlook, making her more determined to appreciate every opportunity to play.
Yamal wins young player award as Mbappé misses out
Yamal won the young player of the year award for the third consecutive time but finished behind Kane in the main race. The 19-year-old Barcelona winger had been among the leading contenders but fell short of becoming the youngest-ever Ballon d’Or winner.
Mbappé also missed out despite an outstanding season for Real Madrid and France. He scored twice as Madrid beat Barcelona 2-1 in Sunday’s El Clásico, extending his recent run of success against Yamal’s side.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente was named men’s coach of the year after leading the national team to World Cup glory. Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique and Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta were also shortlisted.
Barcelona’s Pere Romeu won the women’s coach of the year award, while Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka received the Socrates Award for his humanitarian work.
PSG, despite winning the Champions League for a second consecutive season, missed out on the main individual honours but were named men’s club of the year. Spain’s Unai Simón and Cata Coll won the awards for best men’s and women’s goalkeepers, respectively.
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