Harry Kane and Alexia Putellas Win Top Honours at 70th Ballon d'Or
England striker Harry Kane and Spain's Alexia Putellas have claimed the Men's and Women's Ballon d'Or titles respectively at the 70th edition of the awards ceremony hosted in London. The landmark event marked the first time the prestigious football gala was held outside France.
What happened
The 70th Ballon d'Or ceremony took place on 26 October 2026 at the London Palladium Theatre in London, England. This marked a historical shift as the prestigious football awards ceremony was hosted outside France for the first time.
England and Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane won the Men's Ballon d'Or. Kane scored an impressive 73 goals in 65 competitive appearances across club and country during the 2025-26 campaign, which included 61 goals for Bayern Munich and 12 for England. With this victory, Kane became the first English player to win the award in 25 years, following Michael Owen in 2001.
In the women's category, Spanish midfielder Alexia Putellas clinched her third career Women's Ballon d'Or trophy. Putellas captained FC Barcelona to a remarkable quadruple during the 2025-26 season before moving to London City Lionesses in July 2026, equalling the record held by Aitana Bonmatí.
The ceremony also recognized several other key achievers. Lamine Yamal won the Kopa Trophy for Men's Young Talent of the Year for a record third consecutive year, while Vicky López secured the Women's Young Talent award. Unai Simón and Cata Coll won the Yashin Trophy for best goalkeepers, and Luis de la Fuente and Pere Romeu took home the Coach of the Year honours for men and women respectively.
Important dates
| 70th Ballon d'Or Ceremony | 26 October 2026 |
|---|
📌 Static GK links
- The Ballon d'Or was created in 1956 by the French magazine France Football.
- Sir Stanley Matthews won the inaugural Ballon d'Or award in 1956.
- The Women's Ballon d'Or (Ballon d'Or Féminin) was established later in 2018.
What candidates should do
- Note down the winners of major categories such as the Men's and Women's Ballon d'Or, Kopa Trophy, and Yashin Trophy for upcoming competitive exams.
- Memorize the historical context of English players winning the Ballon d'Or, specifically noting the gap between Michael Owen's 2001 win and Harry Kane's 2026 victory.
- Revise the founding year and organizing body of the Ballon d'Or for static GK questions.
PrepZen analysis
The 70th Ballon d'Or ceremony represents a significant milestone in football history due to its relocation outside France for the first time. For competitive exam aspirants, questions from this event are likely to focus on major winners, milestone achievements such as Harry Kane ending England's 25-year drought, and static GK components regarding the origins of the award. Sports awards frequently appear in current affairs sections of banking, SSC, and state PSC examinations.
Practice questions
Q1. Who won the Men's Ballon d'Or at the 70th awards ceremony in 2026?
Q2. In which year was the Ballon d'Or originally founded?
Kane became the first English player to win since Michael Owen in 2001.
Spain's Alexia Putellas clinched her third career Women's Ballon d'Or trophy.
Kane scored 73 goals across club and country during 2025–26 campaign.
🎯 Key Point: Harry Kane and Alexia Putellas won 2026 Ballon d'Or awards.
FAQs
Who was the last English player to win the Men's Ballon d'Or before Harry Kane?
Michael Owen won the Men's Ballon d'Or in 2001, making Harry Kane the first English player to win it in 25 years.
How many career Women's Ballon d'Or trophies has Alexia Putellas won?
Alexia Putellas has won three career Women's Ballon d'Or trophies, having previously won in 2021 and 2022.
Where was the 70th Ballon d'Or ceremony hosted?
The 70th Ballon d'Or ceremony was hosted at the London Palladium Theatre in London, marking the first time the event was held outside France.
Which organisation originally created the Ballon d'Or?
The Ballon d'Or was created in 1956 by the French magazine France Football.
Sources and references
- football-ecology.org (www.football-ecology.org)
- uefa.com (www.uefa.com)
- manoramayearbook.in (www.manoramayearbook.in)
- aa.com.tr (aa.com.tr)
Prepared by PrepZen for exam preparation. Consult the linked sources for original announcements and current details. Corrections policy. Spotted an error? Write to prepzen.app@gmail.com.
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