Harry Kane wins 2026 Ballon d'Or, first English winner since 2001
Harry Kane has won the 2026 Ballon d'Or, becoming the first English recipient since Michael Owen in 2001. The Bayern Munich striker scored 73 goals in 2025-2026, a tally surpassed only by Lionel Messi's 82 in 2010-2011. Kane's victory caps a career marked by resilience after early struggles at Tottenham, where he was loaned out repeatedly and labeled a "one-season wonder" following his 2014-2015 breakthrough. He is Tottenham's all-time top scorer with 280 goals and England's record scorer with 91. At 33, Kane remains trophy-less at international level despite a Champions League final and two Euro finals. Bayern coach Vincent Kompany praised his underrated playmaking, while teammate Jonathan Tah called him "the greatest finisher I have ever seen."