The winner of the “Golden ball” for the first time in 45 years became a football player of “Bavaria”
Harry Kane became the top scorer of the season 2025/26
Forward of Bayern and England Harry Kane won the Golden Ball as the best footballer in the world last season. The ceremony takes place in London.
Kane also won the Gerd Mueller Trophy, becoming last season's top scorer among men.
Kane became the top scorer of the 2025/26 season. On the account of the 33-year-old Kane, taking into account the national team 73 goals - this is the second indicator in the XXI century. Only Messi scored more during the season - 82 goals (2011/12).
Which of the British won the Golden Ball
Stanley Matthews (1956) – Blackpool Club The first winner in the history of the award (received the award at 41 years old). Bobby Charlton (1966) – Manchester United. He won after winning against England at the home World Cup. Kevin Keegan (1978, 1979) – Hamburg (Germany). The only Englishman to win the Ballon d'Or twice in a row. Michael Owen (2001), Liverpool Club The last Englishman at the moment is the winner of this award.
The last player of Bayern Munich, who won the Golden Ball, was Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. He received an individual award in 1980 and 1981. Before him, the owners of the Golden Ball in the German club were Gerd Müller in 1970 and Franz Beckenbauer in 1972 and 1976.
The Ballon d'Or has been awarded annually by France Football magazine since 1956; in 2020, the ceremony was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. From 2010 to 2015, the award was presented jointly with FIFA.
The prize was awarded for the fifth time according to the results of the season (from August 1, 2024 to July 13, 2025), rather than the calendar year.
In 2025, the winner of the “Golden ball” was the striker “Paris Saint-Germain” and the national team of France Ousmane Dembele.
The record holder for the number of Golden Balls is Lionel Messi, who has eight awards.
Who received other awards as part of the Golden Ball-2026 awards ceremony
Johan Cruyff Trophy (best coach): Luis de la Fuente (Spain national team), Pere Romeu (Barcelona women's) Lev Yashin Trophy (best goalkeeper): Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao, Spain national team), Kata Kohl (Barcelona/Spain women's national team) Raymond Cop's Trophy (best young player): Lamine Yamal (Barcelona, Spain), Vicky Lopez (Barcelona, Women's national team of Spain), Garryn Mullin (Barcelain)
