Harry Kane wins 2026 Ballon d'Or by 28 points

Harry Kane has won the 2026 men's Ballon d'Or, finishing 28 points ahead of Kylian Mbappé. The award, football's annual prize for the best male player, has gone to an Englishman for the first time since Michael Owen won it in 2001.

A panel of 100 journalists votes for the award. Each one ranks their top picks, and points are handed out on a weighted scale, so a first-place vote counts for far more than a fifth-place one. BBC Sport reported that Kane collected 1,055 points and Mbappé 1,027.

That gap is one of the smallest in the award's history. The Athletic put it in that category. Bobby Charlton beat Eusebio by a single point to win in 1966, and Lionel Messi beat Virgil van Dijk by seven points in 2019.

Mbappé was ranked first by 23 voters, according to L'Équipe. He plays for France and Real Madrid. Kane represents England and Bayern Munich.

Kane's season explains much of the support. He scored 73 goals in 65 matches last season. He also helped Bayern win a league and cup double. With Kane leading the side, England finished third at the World Cup.

Lamine Yamal came third with 881 points. Rodri was fourth on 726, and Lionel Messi fifth on 612. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia finished sixth with 541.

The awards were staged in London for the first time this year, adding a new setting to a ceremony that has moved around over the years.