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Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane won his first Men's Ballon d'Or on Monday, becoming the first English footballer to receive the award in 25 years, while Spanish midfielder Alexia Putellas claimed her third Women's Ballon d'Or, equaling the women's record.
The winners were announced at the 70th Ballon d'Or ceremony, held at the London Palladium in the British capital for the first time.
Kane, 33, followed in the footsteps of Michael Owen, who last brought the award to England in 2001, after an outstanding 2025-26 season with Bayern Munich and the national team.
The England captain scored 73 goals in 65 appearances for club and country, including 61 in 51 matches for Bayern, helping the German side secure a domestic double.
He also contributed six goals during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where England finished third.
Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe finished second in the voting, followed by Barcelona's Lamine Yamal in third.
Kane became the fifth English winner in the award's history, joining Stanley Matthews, Bobby Charlton, Kevin Keegan and Owen. He succeeded Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembele, who won the trophy in 2025.
Spanish midfielder Alexia Putellas, 32, picked up her third Women's Ballon d'Or following earlier victories in 2021 and 2022, drawing level with former Barcelona teammate Aitana Bonmati.
Putellas captained Barcelona to four major trophies during the 2025-26 campaign, including the Women's Champions League, Spanish league title, Copa de la Reina and Spanish Super Cup.
She was also named Women's Champions League Player of the Season and helped Spain secure the Women's Nations League title.
Following her successful spell with Barcelona, Putellas joined London City Lionesses in July.
Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal secured the Men's Young Talent of the Year award for the third consecutive season, while fellow Barcelona player Vicky Lopez picked up the women's prize for the second straight year.
Spain's World Cup-winning manager Luis de la Fuente received the Men's Coach of the Year award, while Barcelona's Pere Romeu won the women's coaching honor.
Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Unai Simon and Barcelona's Cata Coll were recognized as the best men's and women's goalkeepers, respectively.
Kane also took home the Men's Striker of the Year award, while Charlyn Corral became the first Mexican footballer to win the women's equivalent.
Paris Saint-Germain were named Men's Club of the Year, with Barcelona securing the women's club award.
Meanwhile, Arsenal and England winger Bukayo Saka received the Socrates Award, which recognizes humanitarian contributions, for his charitable work, including funding 120 medical operations for children in Nigeria through a partnership with BigShoe in 2022.
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