Harry Kane claims maiden Ballon d'Or to end England's 25-year wait for a winner

Harry Kane claimed the Ballon d’Or at a ceremony in London on Monday, ending a 25-year wait for an English winner and adding the game’s most prestigious individual honour to a career that has already made him England’s all-time leading scorer. The Bayern Munich striker beat out Kylian Mbappe and teenage World Cup winner Lamine Yamal to take the Golden Ball.

Mbappe, who enjoyed a stellar debut season with Real Madrid and won the World Cup with France, finished second as his own wait for a Ballon d’Or continues. Barcelona’s Yamal, the breakout star of the World Cup, was third, while 2024 winner Rodri came fourth ahead of Lionel Messi in fifth — a placing that may represent one of the Argentine’s final appearances in the rankings.

PSG pair Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembele were sixth and seventh respectively, with Erling Haaland eighth. Kane’s Bayern teammate Michael Olise, who was voted the best player in Germany last season, finished ninth, and PSG midfielder Fabian Ruiz — the only player to win both the Champions League and the World Cup in the same season — rounded out the top ten.

Jude Bellingham, who top-scored for England at the World Cup with seven goals, narrowly missed the top ten in 11th, with Real Madrid’s domestic trophy drought potentially counting against him. Declan Rice was placed 15th, one spot behind PSG’s Vitinha and one ahead of World Cup final scorer Ferran Torres.

Vinicius Jr, whose infamous snub at the 2024 ceremony prompted the entire Real Madrid contingent to boycott the event, was ranked 17th this time around. Arsenal’s Gabriel, who was central to the club’s league title but missed the decisive penalty in the European Cup final, finished 21st.

PFA Player of the Year Bruno Fernandes could only manage 27th, with his more recent form thought to have counted against him. Arsenal defender William Saliba was joint 29th, with the injury he sustained in the World Cup semi-final potentially costing him a higher placing.

Ballon d’Or top 30

1. Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)
2. Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid)
3. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
4. Rodri (Man City/Barcelona)
5. Lionel Messi (Inter Miami)
6. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (PSG)
7. Ousmane Dembele (PSG)
8. Erling Haaland (Man City)
9. Michael Olise (Bayern Munich)
10. Fabian Ruiz (PSG)
11. Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)
12. Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona)
13. Achraf Hakimi (PSG)
14. Vitinha (PSG)
15. Declan Rice (Arsenal)
16. Ferran Torres (Barcelona)
17. Vinicius Jr
18. Gabriel (Arsenal)
19. Nuno Mendes (PSG)
20. Marquinhos (PSG)
21. Bruno Fernandes
22. William Saliba (Arsenal)