Harry Kane makes history as first English Ballon d'Or winner in 25 years

Harry Kane has won the 2026 men's Ballon d'Or, becoming the first English player to claim the award in a quarter of a century. The striker, who captains England and plays for Bayern Munich, was a surprise winner at the ceremony held at London's Palladium Theatre, beating Barcelona's Lamine Yamal and Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappé. Kane's victory ends a long wait for English football, with the last English winner being Michael Owen in 2001. The award recognises Kane's outstanding goalscoring form and leadership over the past year. The ceremony has faced criticism for promoting individualism, but Kane's win is seen by many as a triumph for consistency and team play. The Guardian's chief sports writer Barney Ronay discusses the symbolism of the win, noting that Kane's journey from being released by Arsenal as a child to becoming a world-class striker resonates beyond football. The win is expected to boost the profile of English football and inspire a new generation of players.