Harry Kane Wins 2026 Men's Ballon d'Or, Ending England's 25-Year Drought

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Harry Kane won the 2026 men's Ballon d'Or on Monday, becoming the first English recipient of the award since Michael Owen in 2001. The Bayern Munich striker's victory ended a 25-year wait for England. Kane's triumph was driven by a remarkable 73 goals for club and country during the 2025-26 season, the second-highest single-season total in European top-five league history. He also contributed significantly as a playmaker, creating numerous chances for teammates. The race was highly competitive, with Barcelona's teenage star Lamine Yamal and Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappé also among the finalists. Yamal, who finished as runner-up, remains eligible for future awards as no player under 21 has ever won the honor.


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