England’s Harry Kane wins Ballon d’Or, Alexia Putellas takes women’s award

What the report says

Bayern Munich striker and England captain Harry Kane has won the men’s Ballon d’Or, according to Al Jazeera’s report based on Reuters coverage. The award ceremony took place in London on Monday, and Kane became the first Englishman to claim the prize since Michael Owen in 2001. Spain midfielder Alexia Putellas won the women’s Ballon d’Or for a third time.

Al Jazeera reported that Kane’s case was strengthened by a standout season for Bayern Munich after his 2023 move from Tottenham Hotspur. In 2025-26, he scored 61 goals in 51 matches for Bayern across all competitions, helping the club secure a domestic league and cup double. The report also said he finished the campaign with 73 goals for club and country, while leading England to the World Cup semifinals with six goals.

The article described the award as the culmination of Kane’s rise from a player who once struggled for regular chances at Tottenham to one of football’s most productive forwards. It noted that his success came amid strong competition from other top players, including Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal.

Putellas received the women’s prize after helping Barcelona win a treble in the 2025-26 season, along with the Spanish Super Cup. Al Jazeera added that she later joined London City Lionesses in July after 14 years at Barcelona.