Harry Kane wins 2026 Ballon d'Or ahead of Mbappé and Yamal

England and Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane has won the 2026 Ballon d'Or, beating Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappé and Barcelona's teenage sensation Lamine Yamal in a tightly contested vote at today's ceremony in Paris.

Kane also claimed the Gerd Müller Award for Best Striker earlier in the evening, completing a personal double. Spain and Barcelona midfielder Alexia Putellas took the Women's Ballon d'Or, adding to her previous wins. Paris Saint-Germain earned Men's Club of the Year after their outstanding season, while Barcelona claimed the women's equivalent.

Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka won the Socrates Award for Fair Play. Barcelona's Lamine Yamal and Vicky López took the young talent awards for men and women respectively. Unai Simón and Cata Coll won goalkeeper honours, while Luis de la Fuente and Pere Romeu were named coaches of the year.

Full winners list: Men's Ballon d'Or — Harry Kane; Women's Ballon d'Or — Alexia Putellas; Men's Striker — Harry Kane; Women's Striker — Charlyn Corral; Men's Club — PSG; Women's Club — Barcelona; Socrates Award — Bukayo Saka; Men's Goalkeeper — Unai Simón; Women's Goalkeeper — Cata Coll; Men's Coach — Luis de la Fuente; Women's Coach — Pere Romeu; Men's Young Talent — Lamine Yamal; Women's Young Talent — Vicky López.

For Nigerian football fans tracking European awards, Kane's win marks the first English winner since 2008, while Yamal's young talent award at 18 signals Spanish football's rising generation. Saka's Socrates Award adds to Arsenal's growing reputation for character alongside talent.

Which of these winners surprised you most, and does Kane's double justify the vote over Mbappé's Champions League heroics?

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/10/27/2026-ballon-dor-full-list-of-winners-2/