Kane clinches first English Ballon d’Or in 25 years; Putellas secures third women’s title

Harry Kane claimed the Ballon d’Or on Monday, becoming the first Englishman to win the award in 25 years.

The Bayern Munich striker netted 73 goals for club and country last season, breaking records in Germany and at the World Cup, where he captained England to a third‑place finish.

Kane topped the ballot among contenders that included Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi.

“My journey wasn’t straightforward. I had to fight my way to be the very best right now,” an emotional Kane said.

Kane propelled Bayern to a Bundesliga and German Cup double, scoring a hat‑trick against Stuttgart in the cup final.

At the World Cup he scored six goals, surpassing Gary Lineker as England’s top scorer in the tournament and placing himself among the all‑time leaders. England reached the semi‑finals before losing to Argentina.

The last Englishman to win the Ballon d’Or was Michael Owen in 2001.

Monday’s ceremony was held in London for the first time, commemorating the inaugural winner 70 years ago, England’s Stanley Matthews, who captured the award in 1956.

Earlier, Spain’s Alexia Putellas claimed her third women’s Ballon d’Or, following a season in which she led former club Barcelona to multiple trophies, including the Women’s Champions League.

Putellas, who joined London City Lionesses during the offseason, also helped Spain secure the Women’s Nations League title in December.

The 32‑year‑old midfielder ended teammate Aitana Bonmati’s three‑year reign as the award’s holder.

Putellas won the award consecutively in 2021 and 2022 before a torn ACL sidelined her and allowed Bonmati to rise to prominence. Bonmati completed a three‑peat in 2025 but was omitted from this year’s shortlist after fracturing her leg in December.

(FRANCE 24 with AP)

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