The 2026 Ballon d'Or award ceremony was held in London, and Bayern Munich and England forward Harry Kane won the award for the first time. Last season, Kane scored 36 goals in the Bundesliga, becoming the top scorer for the third year in a row, and also scored 61 goals in all competitions, showing overwhelming success at home and abroad. He also scored six goals at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, leading England to the final four. These achievements were recognized, and he won the top prize, beating out strong candidates such as Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappé, who won the World Cup that year, and Barcelona's Ramin Yamal.
Kane appeared overcome with emotion on stage at the award ceremony, and began by expressing his gratitude to France Football magazine and those involved in the Ballon d'Or. He said he was "speechless" and said winning the award in London was "extraordinary". He thanked everyone who voted, saying, "Thank you so much," and acknowledged that voting was a difficult decision. Furthermore, looking back on his own path, he said that he did not make it to the top, but that the process of fighting his way through loan transfers was "not a smooth journey," and said that he hopes to be an inspiration to others who have had similar experiences.
At the same time, Kane also won the Gerd Müller Trophy, which is awarded to the player who has scored the most goals for club and country combined. Last season, he scored 73 goals in 65 official matches, including international A matches, and was awarded the award for the first time in two years. As a result, Kane was highly praised for both his individual achievements and his contribution to the team.
After the award ceremony, Kane expressed his enthusiasm for the next season. He showed his determination to continue playing for Bayern and continue to compete at an even higher level. As part of the England national team, he has announced that he will be preparing for the 2027 European Championship and the 2028 World Cup. His presence in upcoming matches will be highly anticipated both at the club and on the international stage.