Harry Kane wins first Ballon d'Or for England in 25 years
Harry Kane won the 2026 Ballon d'Or on Monday, October 26, becoming the first English player to claim the award in 25 years after a stunning season with Bayern Munich and England. The 33-year-old scored 73 goals in 65 matches during the 2025-2026 season, a feat surpassed only by Lionel Messi's 82 in 2010-2011. Kane also reached the Champions League semi-finals and earned a bronze medal at the World Cup, where he scored six goals. Kane's career began slowly with loan spells at Tottenham, where he was initially dismissed as a "one-season wonder." He later became Tottenham's all-time top scorer with 280 goals and England's record scorer with 91, though he won no major trophies until a domestic treble with Bayern last season.