Harry Kane Becomes 1st Englishman in 25 Years to Win Ballon d’Or, Putellas Wins Her 3rd/ NEWSLOOKS/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Harry Kane won his first Ballon d’Or on Monday, becoming the first Englishman to receive the award since Michael Owen in 2001. The Bayern Munich striker scored 73 goals for club and country last season and captained England to third place at the World Cup. Alexia Putellas claimed her third women’s Ballon d’Or after helping Barcelona and Spain win major trophies.
Quick Look
- Men’s winner: Kane ended England’s 25-year wait for a Ballon d’Or.
- Scoring achievement: He scored 73 goals for club and country last season.
- Voting order: Kylian Mbappé finished second, followed by Lamine Yamal, Rodri and Lionel Messi.
- Bayern success: Kane helped secure the Bundesliga and German Cup double.
- World Cup impact: His six goals helped England achieve its best finish in 60 years.
- Women’s winner: Putellas added a third award to her victories in 2021 and 2022.
- Young talent: Yamal received the best young player honor for a third consecutive year.
- London ceremony: The event marked 70 years since Stanley Matthews won the inaugural award.
Deep Look
Harry Kane Ends England’s Ballon d’Or Wait
Harry Kane became the first Englishman in 25 years to win the Ballon d’Or on Monday, receiving soccer’s leading individual honor after a prolific season for Bayern Munich and England.
The 33-year-old scored 73 goals for club and country, finishing as Europe’s top scorer while breaking records in Germany and at the World Cup.
Kane used his acceptance speech to emphasize the setbacks and persistence behind his achievement.
“Anything is possible with hard work, when no one else is watching, to go through the ups and downs, to learn through resilience, determination and self-belief,” an emotional Kane said in a message to young boys and girls.
“My journey wasn’t straightforward. I wasn’t the kid who went straight to the top. I had to experience the downs,” he added. “I had to fight my way to be the very best right now. I hope that can give you inspiration as well.”
Mbappé and Yamal Follow Kane in Voting
Kylian Mbappé finished second in the men’s voting, followed by Lamine Yamal, 2024 winner Rodri and eight-time winner Lionel Messi.
Yamal also won the award for best young talent for a third straight year.
Kane thanked his teammates, coaches and parents, as well as his children, joking: “It’s past your bedtime”.
He also paid tribute to his wife Kate, calling her “my best friend. We’ve been through ups and downs for sure. You’re my biggest supporter. You always want the best for me.”
Bayern Double Strengthens Kane’s Winning Season
Kane led Bayern Munich to the Bundesliga title and German Cup, scoring a hat trick against Stuttgart in the cup final.
His club achievements accompanied a strong World Cup campaign in which he scored six goals.
That tally took him past Gary Lineker as England’s leading World Cup scorer and placed him among the tournament’s five highest scorers in history.
England lost to Argentina in the semifinals before beating Mbappé’s France in the third-place match.
The result was England’s best World Cup finish in 60 years.
Tuchel Praises England Captain’s Leadership
Kane is the first English winner since Michael Owen received the Ballon d’Or in 2001.
England coach Thomas Tuchel said the national team was “lucky to have you as our leader.”
“I ran out of superlatives to describe your performances a long time ago, but I’m delighted to see that you have now been formally recognized by the football world,” Tuchel said.
Monday’s ceremony was held in London for the first time, recognizing the award’s inaugural winner, England’s Stanley Matthews, who received it in 1956.
Alexia Putellas Wins Third Women's Ballon d'Or
Spain midfielder Alexia Putellas claimed the women’s award after helping her former club Barcelona win multiple trophies last season, including the Women’s Champions League.
The 32-year-old also helped Spain capture the Women’s Nations League last December.
Putellas joined London City Lionesses during the offseason.
Her latest award follows consecutive wins in 2021 and 2022 and ends Spain teammate Aitana Bonmati’s three-year reign.
Putellas Celebrates Return After Injury Setback
Putellas’ earlier run at the top was interrupted by a torn ACLwhile Bonmati rose to prominence and won three consecutive women’s Ballon d’Or awards through 2025.
Bonmati was absent from this year’s shortlist after breaking her leg in December.
Putellas encouraged young players to approach soccer with “love and passion.”
“Believe in yourself, that’s the most important thing,” she said. “If you have a dream, go for it, even if at some point you have to start from zero.”
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