Harry Kane wins the Ballon d'Or, the first English winner in 25 years

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Harry Kane is the best player in the world, officially. The Irish News, carrying the Press Association's report, says the Bayern Munich striker and England captain won the 70th men's Ballon d'Or at the London Palladium on Monday night, becoming the first English winner since Michael Owen in 2001

It was the first time the ceremony had been held outside Paris. Kane joins Stanley Matthews, Bobby Charlton, Kevin Keegan and Owen as English winners of the award. Kylian Mbappé finished second and Lamine Yamal third, and France Football's editor in chief Vincent Garcia told L'Équipe that it came down to very few points between Kane and Mbappé

Kane scored 73 goals for club and country in 2025-26, which also earned him the Gerd Müller Trophy as the year's top striker, presented by Alan Shearer. Al Jazeera adds that he scored 61 goals in 51 games for Bayern as they won the league and cup double, and six at the World Cup as England finished third

Ronaldo read out his name. In his speech, Kane thanked Bayern, England and Tottenham, where he joined at the age of 11, and spoke about a career that was not straight, including loan spells and being released by Arsenal as a boy. He also thanked his wife Kate and their four children, and said of England's year that it was not perfect but there were a lot of good moments. The next day he called the win a dream come true and said he will try to win it again next year

The night was not without drama. Around 5pm, an article on the official Ballon d'Or website named Kane as the winner, while two others named Yamal and Mbappé, and the ceremony was pushed back by 30 minutes. England manager Thomas Tuchel said becoming the first Englishman in 25 years to win the award makes it extra special

Did Kane deserve it over Mbappé and Yamal? And where does this put him among England's greatest ever players?

Harry Kane wins 2026 men's Ballon d'Or ahead of Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamalwww.irishnews.com