Harry Kane wins 2025 Ballon d'Or ahead of Mbappé and Lamine Yamal

Harry Kane won the 2025 Ballon d'Or at a ceremony held at the London Palladium, becoming the fifth English footballer to lift the award and the first since Michael Owen. The Bayern Munich striker edged Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal in a tight vote during a London gala that stretched into the early hours.

• Harry Kane is the fifth English Ballon d'Or winner after Matthews, Charlton, Keegan and Owen.
• The Bayern striker added the Bundesliga title and the Golden Boot to his case.
• Mbappé and Lamine Yamal rounded out the podium in one of the most open votes in years.
• Lamine Yamal collected the Kopa Trophy and PSG was named best men's team.
• The Ballon d'Or was held outside France for the first time to mark its 70th anniversary.

Kane completes the English circle 70 years after Matthews

The Bayern Munich striker follows in the footsteps of Bobby Charlton, Kevin Keegan and Michael Owen, and brings the Ballon d'Or back to England seven decades after Stanley Matthews opened the winners' list in 1956. Kane arrived in London as one of the leading contenders after a season in which he won the Bundesliga, picked up the Golden Boot and reached the semi-finals of the Champions League and the World Cup.

An open vote with no clear winner until the end

The 2025 edition was shaping up as one of the most uncertain in recent memory. Mbappé's goals, with record-breaking World Cup numbers, and Lamine Yamal's league title and World Cup triumph were not enough to overtake Kane in the ballots cast by journalists from around the world. The winner was not announced until after 11:40 pm, when Ronaldo Nazario revealed the Englishman's name on stage.

Kane embraced Rodri, Mbappé, Dembélé and Olise before walking up to collect the trophy. The ceremony, organized by France Football and UEFA, moved outside France for the first time to mark the 70th anniversary of the award, and London played host on a night of fog, cold and light rain.

The final ranking: surprises and absences in the Top 20

The final list produced notable names both inside and outside the top positions. Mané and Saliba closed out the classification, while Cucurella finished 18th, Vinicius 17th and Bellingham 11th. The Brazilian now has two consecutive years away from the top after finishing second in 2024: last season he placed 16th and this edition one spot lower.

Ferran Torres earned a prominent place, just ahead of Vinicius, boosted by his goal against Argentina in the World Cup final. Cubarsí, 12th, was the highest-ranked defender on the list, while Fabián Ruiz and Rodri made the Top 10. Bellingham did not travel to London despite it being his hometown, and neither did Florentino Pérez, Vinicius nor the English midfielder.

Lamine Yamal wins the Kopa Trophy with a nod to Cubarsí

The Barcelona forward was recognized with the Kopa Trophy as the best young player and left a direct message about his teammate: he said he would have liked Cubarsí to be in London because he deserved that recognition. Lamine was the first to land in the British capital, on the same night as the Clásico, on a private flight with his family and friends.

The Barça delegation arrived at midday on Monday with Laporta leading the way. Cubarsí stayed in Barcelona knowing the Kopa Trophy had a clear winner. The gala, with a strong Spanish accent due to the presence of several Spanish footballers in the top positions and on stage, also handed Kane the best striker award.

Saka takes home the Socrates Award and PSG is named best team

Bukayo Saka received the Socrates Award for his social work, a prize that recognises commitment beyond the pitch. Paris Saint-Germain, with Ousmane Dembélé as the season's standout figure, lifted the trophy for best men's team and rounded off a ceremony with a wide spread of leading roles.

All your questions about the 2025 Ballon d'Or