Ballon d’Or Awards: Harry Kane and Alèxia Putellas Named Men’s and Women’s Winners

Alexia Putellas and Harry Kane have been named the best women’s and men’s soccer players in the world in this year’s Ballon d’Or ceremony. On a night replete with glitz and glamour all around, one of the most coveted football events in the world was delayed due to the rains and traffic-logged night in London.

The night saw some of the greatest players ever to have graced the football field, the icons of the game attending the ceremony and gathering together under one roof to celebrate and honour the best players in the world.

After much debate, it was the Englishman Harry Kane who was chosen the winner of the men's Ballon d’Or winner. He beat Spain’s Lamine Yamal and France’s captain Kylian Mbappe to the coveted prize. The England player had a spectacular 2025 season; he scored 73 goals in 64 competitive matches for both his league club and national team. With his brilliant performance he guided his team Bayern Munich to win the league title.

The 33-year-old forward got very emotional after the win and during his speech, even as the crowd in attendance cheered the English lad with chants of ‘Harry, Harry.’ During his speech, Kane said, “It being here in London as well has made it extra special. Thank you very much. Thank you to everyone who voted for me. I can imagine it was really tough this year - some incredible players I was up against.

Kane became the first English player to win the coveted award after 25 years since the English football legend Michael Owen won it in 2001.

Meanwhile Alexia Putellas won the women’s award for the third time in her illustrious career. The 32-year-old veteran was seen as the frontrunner to win the award after she had another dominant season last year with her club Barcelona Femeni. She captained the team to four trophies, the League title, two domestic cups and the Women’s Champions League before eventually moving to the London City Lionesses in England this summer.

During her acceptance speech, Putellas said, “I don’t know what to say, too many things. Congress to all the nominees, congratulations to all the winners. That so many Barca players were nominated says a lot about the season we had. It was my honour to be your captain.”

The voting for both the men’s and women’s Ballon d’Or is down to selected journalists who vote on behalf of their nation. Each voter ranks their 10 best players with points distributed on a descending scale, depending on their place in the list.

Full List of Winners

• Ballon d’Or: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich and England)
• Ballon d’Or Fémenin: Alèxia Putellas (Barcelona Femení/London City Lionesses and Spain)
• Men’s Club of the Year: Paris Saint-Germain
• Women’s Club of the Year: Barcelona Femení
• Men’s Young Talent of the Year: Lamine Yamal (Barcelona and Spain)
• Women’s Young Talent of the Year: Vicky López (Barcelona Femení and Spain)
• Men’s Coach of the Year: Luis de la Fuente (Spain)
• Women’s Coach of the Year: Pere Romeu (Barcelona Femení)
• Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year: Unai Simón (Athletic Bilbao and Spain)
• Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year: Cata Coll (Barcelona Femení and Spain)
• Sócrates Award (best humanitarian actions by a player): Bukayo Saka (Arsenal and England)
• Men’s Striker of the Year: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich and England)
• Women’s Striker of the Year: Charlyn Corral (CF Pachuca and Mexico)