2026 Ballon d’Or: Harry Kane and Alexia Putellas Win Top Awards as Yamal Takes Young Talent Prize
The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony has produced a major night of individual and team honours, with Harry Kane and Alexia Putellas taking the headline men’s and women’s awards.
The ceremony also recognised Lamine Yamal and Vicky Lopez as the year’s top young talents, while several coaches, goalkeepers and clubs were honoured across the men’s and women’s categories.
Harry Kane wins men’s Ballon d’Or
Harry Kane was crowned the 2026 men’s Ballon d’Or winner, according to the award announcement provided from the ceremony.
The honour adds another major individual recognition to the England captain’s career.
Kane’s victory was one of the night’s biggest moments, with the Ballon d’Or recognising the outstanding men’s player of the year.
Alexia Putellas claims women’s Ballon d’Or
Barcelona and Spain star Alexia Putellas took the women’s Ballon d’Or.
Her victory was announced during the ceremony as one of the night’s headline honours.
Putellas has been one of the defining figures in women’s football and adds another Ballon d’Or recognition to her decorated career.
Yamal wins men’s Young Talent award again
Lamine Yamal was named the 2026 Men’s Young Talent of the Year, continuing his remarkable run in the award category.
The Barcelona and Spain youngster has now won the prize in 2024, 2025 and 2026, according to the announcement.
His third consecutive victory underlines the exceptional trajectory of one of football’s most closely watched young players.
Vicky Lopez retains women’s award
Vicky Lopez was named the 2026 Women’s Young Talent of the Year, making it back-to-back victories for the young Barcelona player.
Lopez also won the award in 2025, meaning she has now claimed the honour in consecutive years.
Coaches and goalkeepers also recognised
The ceremony also recognised the leading coaches and goalkeepers from the men’s and women’s game.
Pere Romeu was named Women’s Coach of the Year, while Luis de la Fuente received the Men’s Coach of the Year award.
Cata Coll was named Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year, while Spain and Manchester City goalkeeper Unai Simón won the Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year award.
Simón’s award comes after his success with Spain at the 2026 World Cup, according to the announcement.
Barcelona and PSG win club awards
There was further success for Barcelona, with FC Barcelona Femení named Women’s Club of the Year.
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) won the Men’s Club of the Year award.
The club honours added to an evening dominated by recognition of players and teams who made a major impact during the year.
Saka receives Sócrates Award
England and Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka was named the recipient of the 2026 Sócrates Award at the ceremony.
The award recognises footballers for their social and humanitarian contributions beyond their performances on the pitch.
A night of major individual honours
The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony brought together the leading names in men’s and women’s football, with awards spanning individual excellence, emerging talent, coaching, goalkeeping, clubs and social impact.
For Kane and Putellas, the night ended with the sport’s biggest individual prizes. For Yamal and Lopez, it reinforced their status as leading young talents, while Saka’s Sócrates Award highlighted football’s contribution beyond competition.
The awards now add another chapter to the 2026 football season, with the winners and rankings providing an early snapshot of the players and teams who shaped the year.
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