2026 Ballon d’Or: Harry Kane and Alexia Putellas win

Harry Kane won the 2026 Men’s Ballon d’Or, while Alexia Putellas claimed the women’s award for a third time. Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal completed the men’s podium; Ewa Pajor and Khadija Shaw finished second and third in the women’s ranking. The ceremony took place in London on October 26.

2026 Men’s Ballon d’Or top ten

The ranking published by UEFA included three Spanish players in the top ten: Lamine Yamal, Rodri and Fabián Ruiz.

1. Harry Kane — England, Bayern München

2. Kylian Mbappé — France, Real Madrid

3. Lamine Yamal — Spain, Barcelona

4. Rodri — Spain, Manchester City/Barcelona

5. Lionel Messi — Argentina, Inter Miami

6. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia — Georgia, Paris Saint-Germain

7. Ousmane Dembélé — France, Paris Saint-Germain

8. Erling Haaland — Norway, Manchester City

9. Michael Olise — France, Bayern München

10. Fabián Ruiz — Spain, Paris Saint-Germain

Kane, 33, became the first Englishman to receive the award in 25 years. According to UEFA, he scored 73 goals for club and country across all competitions in 2025/26, helped Bayern retain the Bundesliga title as part of a domestic treble, and scored 14 Champions League goals as the club reached the semifinals. The forward also received the Men’s Striker of the Year award.

Lamine Yamal finished third

Lamine finished behind Kane and Mbappé in the main award. Separately, he was named Men’s Young Talent of the Year for a third consecutive season. Barcelona reports that he is the first player to win the distinction three times in a row.

The main result and the youth award should not be confused: Lamine was third in the Ballon d’Or vote and won a separate category for young players. Unai Simón was named Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year, and Luis de la Fuente was Men’s Coach of the Year.

2026 Women’s Ballon d’Or top ten

The official women’s ranking released by UEFA also featured three Spanish players in the top ten: Alexia Putellas, Patri Guijarro and Clàudia Pina.

1. Alexia Putellas — Spain, Barcelona/London City Lionesses

2. Ewa Pajor — Poland, Barcelona

3. Khadija Shaw — Jamaica, Manchester City

4. Melchie Dumornay — Haiti, OL Lyonnes

5. Patri Guijarro — Spain, Barcelona

6. Caroline Graham Hansen — Norway, Barcelona

7. Pernille Harder — Denmark, Bayern München

8. Clàudia Pina — Spain, Barcelona

9. Alessia Russo — England, Arsenal

10. Temwa Chawinga — Malawi, Kansas City Current

Why Alexia Putellas won

This was Alexia’s third Women’s Ballon d’Or, following her 2021 and 2022 victories. During Barcelona’s successful 2025/26 Women’s Champions League campaign, she recorded seven goals and seven assists and was named the competition’s Player of the Season. The Spaniard was also Player of the Finals when Spain won the 2025 UEFA Women’s Nations League, and she joined London City Lionesses ahead of the 2026/27 season.

Main award and additional categories

In addition to the two Ballons d’Or, the ceremony presented several category-specific trophies. Vicky López won Women’s Young Talent of the Year; Cata Coll, Goalkeeper of the Year; Pere Romeu, Coach of the Year; and Charlyn Corral, Striker of the Year. On the men’s side, alongside the awards for Lamine, Unai Simón, Luis de la Fuente and Kane, Paris Saint-Germain was named Club of the Year. Barcelona received the women’s Club of the Year distinction, and Bukayo Saka won the Sócrates Award.

The distinction matters when reading the results: winning an additional category does not change a player’s Ballon d’Or position. The main prizes went to Kane and Alexia; the other trophies had their own purposes and votes.

A historic edition in London

Created by France Football in 1956 and co-organized with UEFA since 2024, the Ballon d’Or celebrated its 70th anniversary. The 2026 ceremony was held in London for the first time, paying tribute to Sir Stanley Matthews, the award’s inaugural winner.