Harry Kane became the fifth Englishman to win the Ballon d'Or after being crowned the world's best footballer at the 70th edition of the prestigious awards ceremony in London on October 26, 2026. The Bayern Munich striker enjoyed a phenomenal 2025-26 campaign, scoring 73 goals in 65 appearances for club and country to finally receive the biggest individual recognition in football. Kane finished ahead of Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal in the voting, becoming the first Englishman since Michael Owen in 2001 to win the award. His achievement also means England have now produced five different Ballon d'Or winners, with Kevin Keegan being the only player from the country to win it twice.
The Ballon d'Or has long been regarded as one of the highest individual honours in world football. Established by France Football, the award recognises the finest footballer in the world based on their performances over a particular period. Over the decades, some of the greatest names in the game have lifted the coveted golden trophy, including Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Johan Cruyff, Michel Platini and Zinedine Zidane. Interestingly, the award's inaugural winner was also an Englishman, with Sir Stanley Matthews receiving the honour in 1956. However, despite England's rich footballing history and its influence on the global game, English players have had relatively limited success in the award's history. Only four Englishmen have won the Ballon d'Or, with the honour being claimed on five occasions.
Here is a look at all five English footballers who have won the Ballon d'Or, including their achievements and the seasons that earned them the prestigious recognition:
Harry Kane (2026)
Harry Kane's Ballon d'Or victory represents the culmination of an extraordinary journey in professional football. The England captain scored 61 goals in 51 appearances for Bayern Munich during the 2025-26 campaign, adding another 12 goals for his country to finish with 73 across all competitions. His contribution helped Bayern Munich retain the Bundesliga title, win the DFB-Pokal and lift the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup. Kane also finished as the Bundesliga's leading goalscorer for the third consecutive season and registered 14 goals in the Champions League as Bayern reached the semi-finals. Meanwhile, his performances for England proved equally important. Kane captained the Three Lions to a third-place finish at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, scoring six goals during the tournament.
The 33-year-old finished ahead of Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe and Barcelona's Lamine Yamal to claim the Ballon d'Or. He also received the Gerd Müller Trophy for the Men's Striker of the Year. Having spent several years at Tottenham Hotspur without winning a major club trophy, Kane's move to Bayern Munich in 2023 eventually helped him fulfil his ambitions of winning silverware. The award was particularly significant for English football, ending a quarter-century wait for another homegrown winner.
Michael Owen (2001)
Michael Owen became the fourth Englishman to win the Ballon d'Or in 2001 after enjoying an outstanding season with Liverpool. The former England international played a crucial role in the Reds' historic five-trophy campaign under Gerard Houllier. Liverpool won the UEFA Cup, FA Cup, League Cup, UEFA Super Cup and FA Charity Shield during the 2000-01 season. Owen was particularly influential in the FA Cup final against Arsenal, scoring twice in the final ten minutes to secure a memorable 2-1 comeback victory. On the international stage, Owen produced another unforgettable moment by scoring a hat-trick in England's famous 5-1 World Cup qualifying victory over Germany in Munich. Owen finished ahead of Real Madrid's Raul and Bayern Munich goalkeeper Oliver Kahn in the Ballon d'Or voting. At just 22, he became one of the youngest players to win the prestigious individual award and the first Liverpool footballer to achieve the feat.
Kevin Keegan (1978 and 1979)
Kevin Keegan remains the only Englishman to win consecutive Ballon d'Or awards, claiming the honour in 1978 and 1979 while representing Hamburger SV. The former Liverpool forward moved to Germany in 1977 after enjoying considerable success at Anfield, where he won three First Division titles and the European Cup in 1977. Keegan quickly established himself in the Bundesliga and became one of Hamburg's most influential players. His performances earned him the 1978 Ballon d'Or, finishing ahead of Austria's Hans Krankl and Netherlands legend Rob Rensenbrink. He retained the award in 1979 after helping Hamburg win the Bundesliga title. Keegan scored 17 league goals during that campaign, playing a significant role in the club's championship success. His back-to-back victories made him the third Englishman to win the Ballon d'Or and remain a unique achievement in the country's footballing history.
Sir Bobby Charlton (1966)
Sir Bobby Charlton won the Ballon d'Or in 1966, becoming the second Englishman to receive the prestigious award. His triumph came in the same year that England won their first FIFA World Cup on home soil. Charlton was one of the standout performers during the tournament, scoring three goals, including two in England's 2-1 semi-final victory against Portugal. The Three Lions subsequently defeated West Germany 4-2 after extra time in the final at Wembley.
At club level, Charlton was equally important for Manchester United. Having survived the Munich air disaster in 1958, he became one of the central figures in the club's rebuilding process under Sir Matt Busby. He helped United win the European Cup in 1968, scoring twice in the final against Benfica at Wembley. Charlton finished ahead of Eusebio and Franz Beckenbauer in the 1966 Ballon d'Or voting, adding another major individual achievement to an unforgettable year for English football.
Sir Stanley Matthews (1956)
Sir Stanley Matthews holds the distinction of being the first-ever Ballon d'Or winner after receiving the award in 1956. The legendary winger was recognised for his outstanding performances with Blackpool and England. Matthews was already 41 years old when he won the inaugural award, finishing ahead of Real Madrid's Alfredo Di Stefano and French winger Raymond Kopa. Renowned for his dribbling ability, balance and exceptional skills on the ball, Matthews was one of the most entertaining footballers of his generation. His performances helped Blackpool finish second in the English First Division during the 1955-56 season. He continued playing professionally until the age of 50, becoming one of the longest-serving footballers in English football history. In 1965, he became the first footballer to receive a knighthood while still playing professionally.
Apart from the five winners, several English footballers have also come close to claiming the prestigious individual award. Frank Lampard finished second in the 2005 Ballon d'Or voting after helping Chelsea win the Premier League title. His teammate Steven Gerrard finished third following Liverpool's memorable Champions League triumph in Istanbul. More recently, Jude Bellingham emerged as a major contender after his impressive debut season at Real Madrid, while other English internationals have also featured among the nominees. However, Harry Kane has now ended England's 25-year wait for another winner, bringing the country's total to six Ballon d'Or victories. The Bayern Munich striker has joined an exclusive list that includes some of the greatest footballers in English history.
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