Kane wins his first Ballon d'Or; Putellas returns for her third

Harry Kane won his first men's Ballon d'Or and Alexia Putellas won her third women's award Monday in London. For Kane, it was a first arrival at the top of the vote. For Putellas, it was a return after her 2021 and 2022 victories.

Kane's 73 goals split into 61 for Bayern Munich and 12 for England, according to England Football. It is a club-and-country total, not a Bundesliga scoring record.

Kane is England's fifth men's winner and first since Michael Owen in 2001. His Bayern season included Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal titles.

Putellas' winning season, and her new chapter

Putellas finished ahead of Ewa Pajor and Khadija Shaw. UEFA's account places her award in a specific European campaign: seven goals, seven assists and Player of the Season recognition as Barcelona won the 2025/26 Women's Champions League.

She joined London City Lionesses before 2026/27. Her current club and her European title-winning season belong to different chapters. This award is not a verdict on a full season in London.

Barcelona also received the women's club honor, with Pere Romeu taking the coaching award.

The two main winners reached Monday's stage with different histories. Kane ended a long wait for an English men's winner. Putellas added another award after a four-year gap. Neither story needs a manufactured comparison between the men's and women's games to carry its weight.