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Ballon d'Or 2026: Kane, Corral win striker awards in London ceremony
The Ballon d'Or 2026 ceremony in London awarded Harry Kane and Charlyn Corral the striker of the year honors, while Barcelona's dominance continued with multiple wins including the women's club of the year for the third time in four years. Spain achieved recognition through World Cup-winning goalkeeper Unai Simon, coach Luis de la Fuente, and repeated young player honors for Lamine Yamal and Vicky Lopez, while Bukayo Saka won the Socrates Award for humanitarian work.
Quick Facts
- Men's striker of the year award (Gerd Müller Trophy) won by Harry Kane
- Women's striker of the year award (Women's Gerd Müller Trophy) won by Charlyn Corral
- Men's club of the year won by Paris Saint-Germain (second consecutive year)
- Women's club of the year won by FC Barcelona (third time in four years)
- Men's goalkeeper of the year won by Unai Simon
The Ballon d'Or ceremony returned to London on October 26, 2026, honoring outstanding players, coaches, and humanitarian contributors across men's and women's football. Harry Kane of Bayern Munich and England won the men's striker of the year award (Gerd Müller Trophy) after scoring 78 goals and recording 10 assists in the previous season, earning the European Golden Shoe. Charlyn Corral of CF Pachuca and Mexico claimed the women's striker of the year award (Women's Gerd Müller Trophy) with 42 goals in as many matches, also winning the CONCACAF Women's Champions Cup.
Barcelona dominated the club awards, claiming the women's club of the year for the third time in four years after winning the treble last season, while Paris Saint-Germain won the men's club of the year for the second consecutive year. Spain achieved a double in the goalkeepers of the year category: Unai Simon of Athletic Club won the men's award after winning the FIFA World Cup 2026, and Cata Coll of Barcelona won the women's award. Luis de la Fuente of Spain was named men's coach of the year, with Pere Romeu of Barcelona winning the women's coach of the year.
Young player honors went to Lamine Yamal of Barcelona and Spain, who won the men's young player of the year award for the third consecutive year, and Vicky Lopez of Barcelona and Spain, who won the women's young player of the year for the second year in a row. Bukayo Saka of Arsenal received the Socrates Award, which recognizes humanitarian and social work, for his involvement with the Big Shoe charity that funds life-changing surgeries and humanitarian aid projects worldwide, including support for a boy from Rwanda whose vision was restored through the foundation's assistance.
The ceremony also honored deceased football legends: Kevin Keegan, the only Englishman to win the Ballon d'Or twice, who died in July at age 75 following cancer, and AC Milan legend Franco Baresi, a 1989 Ballon d'Or runner-up. An at-home voting initiative allowed viewers to select the Ballon d'Or winner of all time from previous multiple-time winners including Messi, Ronaldo, Platini, and Cruyff.
Topics
Why This Matters
The 2026 Ballon d'Or awards recognize individual and team performance across men's and women's professional football over the preceding season. Major award winners—Kane (Bayern Munich, 78 goals), Corral (CF Pachuca, 42 goals), Barcelona (women's club), Paris Saint-Germain (men's club), and Spanish national team figures (Unai Simon as World Cup-winning goalkeeper, Luis de la Fuente as coach)—signal dominant clubs and players shaping competitive dynamics in European and international leagues. Recognition of Bukayo Saka's humanitarian work through the Socrates Award reflects institutional acknowledgment of off-field impact in professional sports governance.
Timeline & Sources
Oct 26, 2026
WireBallon d'Or 2026 ceremony held in London
Oct 26, 2026
WireAwards ceremony broadcast begins with live updates
Oct 26, 2026
WireSocrates Award for humanitarian work awarded to Bukayo Saka
Oct 26, 2026
WireStriker of the year awards: Harry Kane (men's), Charlyn Corral (women's)
Related Signals
Sources
- Ballon d'Or 2026 LIVE: Winners, times & updates from ceremony in LondonBBCMediaOct 26, 2026
- Ballon d’Or 2026: Lamine Yamal wins young men’s trophy, Saka awarded humanitarian prize – liveThe GuardianMediaOct 26, 2026
- Ballon d'Or 2026 LIVE — Harry Kane wins Gerd Muller trophy; Mbappe in race for titleSportstarMediaOct 26, 2026