London: England captain Harry Kane and Spain midfielder Alexia Putellas won the men’s and women’s Ballon d’Or awards respectively at a ceremony held at the London Palladium.
Kane became the first Englishman in 25 years to win the prestigious men’s award, following Michael Owen’s triumph in 2001. The 33-year-old Bayern Munich striker scored 73 goals for club and country last season, including 61 for the German champions, helping them win the Bundesliga and German Cup. He also received the Gerd Muller Trophy for the best men’s striker.
Kylian Mbappe finished second in the voting, followed by Spain’s Lamine Yamal, 2024 winner Rodri and Lionel Messi, who has won the award a record eight times.
Putellas claimed her third women’s Ballon d’Or, equalling the record, after helping Barcelona win multiple trophies, including the Women’s Champions League, before joining London City Lionesses. She also helped Spain win the Women’s Nations League.
The ceremony was held in London for the first time, marking 70 years since England’s Stanley Matthews became the inaugural winner in 1956. Yamal won the young talent award for a third consecutive year, while Spain coach Luis de la Fuente was named Coach of the Year and goalkeeper Unai Simon received the best goalkeeper award.
