Harry Kane and Alexia Putellas took centre stage as the official 2026 Ballon d’Or winners at a star-studded gala at the London Palladium on Monday evening. The prestigious ceremony crowned football’s finest talent across the global game, celebrating individual excellence, youthful brilliance, and team dominance. Kane’s triumph capped an incredible individual campaign, while Putellas solidified her status as a generational icon in elite women’s football.
The 70th edition of the annual ceremony delivered plenty of drama, cementing new legacies and highlighting shifting power dynamics across European and global competitions. Beyond the main podiums, night-long celebrations recognised elite coaches, standout goalkeepers, and top-scoring goal machines.
Kane and Putellas Headline the 2026 Ballon d’Or Winners List
England captain Harry Kane claimed his first Men’s Ballon d’Or trophy following an unmatched season of prolific finishing and decisive leadership. Kane edged out French superstar Kylian Mbappé and Spanish wunderkind Lamine Yamal to secure the ultimate individual honour in world football. The triumph marks a career-defining peak for the English striker, who also collected the Men’s Gerd Müller Trophy for his relentless productivity in front of goal.
In the women’s category, Barcelona maestro Alexia Putellas added yet another glittering trophy to her cabinet. Putellas captured the Women’s Ballon d’Or award after orchestrating play at the highest level throughout the year, finishing ahead of Polish striker Ewa Pajor and Manchester City sensation Khadija Shaw.
Full Roster of Winners at the London Palladium Football Awards
The London Palladium football awards night celebrated exceptional individual performances across every position on the pitch. Spain and Paris Saint-Germain features dominated the voting cards, reflecting a year defined by international and continental success.
- Men’s Young Talent of the Year: Lamine Yamal
- Women’s Young Talent of the Year: Vicky Lopez
- Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year: Unai Simón
- Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year: Cata Coll
- Men’s Coach of the Year: Luis de la Fuente
- Women’s Coach of the Year: Pere Romeu
- Men’s Club of the Year: Paris Saint-Germain
- Women’s Club of the Year: FC Barcelona Femení
- Sócrates Award: Bukayo Saka
- Men’s Gerd Müller Trophy: Harry Kane
- Women’s Gerd Müller Trophy: Charlyn Corral
Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka earned well-deserved acclaim by taking home the Sócrates Award in recognition of his extensive humanitarian endeavours and community work off the field.
Deciphering the Harry Kane Ballon d’Or Victory and Men’s Rankings
The Harry Kane Ballon d’Or victory reflected a strong consensus among journalists, though the lower rankings sparked intense debates across sports bars and digital forums alike. Paris Saint-Germain’s impressive team season propelled several of their star performers into the top ten, while established icons like Lionel Messi continued to maintain elite top-five placements.
- Harry Kane
- Kylian Mbappé
- Lamine Yamal
- Rodri
- Lionel Messi
- Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
- Ousmane Dembélé
- Erling Haaland
- Michael Olise
- Fabián Ruiz
Positions 11 through 30 displayed equal depth and talent:
11. Jude Bellingham
12. Pau Cubarsí
13. Achraf Hakimi
14. Vitinha
15. Declan Rice
16. Ferran Torres
17. Vinícius Júnior
18. Marc Cucurella
19. João Neves
20. Willian Pacho
21. Gabriel Magalhães
22. Lautaro Martínez
23. Nuno Mendes
24. Luis Díaz
25. Marquinhos
26. Dayot Upamecano
27. Bruno Fernandes
28. Julián Quiñones
29. William Saliba
29 (tied). Sadio Mané
Breakdown of the Alexia Putellas Ballon d’Or Ranking and Women’s Voting
The final Alexia Putellas Ballon d’Or ranking underlined FC Barcelona Femení’s remarkable structural domination of international women’s football. Barcelona stars claimed four spots inside the top ten list, showcasing their unrivalled tactical quality and talent depth.
- Alexia Putellas
- Ewa Pajor
- Khadija Shaw
- Melchie Dumornay
- Patri Guijarro
- Caroline Graham Hansen
- Pernille Harder
- Claudia Pina
- Alessia Russo
- Temwa Chawinga
The complete women’s standings outside the top ten featured a global mix of world-class creators and defensive anchors:
11. Yui Hasegawa
12. Klara Bühl
13. Mariona Caldentey
14. Wendie Renard
15. Cata Coll
16. Mapi León
17. Esmee Brugts
18. Barbra Banda
19. Tessa Wullaert
20. Selma Bacha
21. Scarlett Camberos
22. Manaka Matsukubo
23. Momoko Tanikawa
24. Kerstin Casparij
25. Caroline Weir
26. Alex Greenwood
27. Rose Lavelle
28 (tied). Lorena
28 (tied). Melvine Malard
28 (tied). Vivianne Miedema
This historic gala at the London Palladium delivered a landmark evening for global football, establishing a clear benchmark for excellence as the sport enters its next competitive cycle.
