Harry Kane is firmly in contention to win the 2026 Ballon d'Or award ahead of the ceremony on Monday night.
Harry Kane's goal record sine joining Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich in 2023 has been nothing short of remarkable, and his output reached new heights in the 2025/26 season.
The centre forward scored an outrageous 61 goals in 51 appearances for the Bavarians, spearheading Vincent Kompany's side to a record-extending 35th league title.
His excellence shone through at the 2026 World Cup too, scoring six goals in as many games before Thomas Tuchel's England were knocked out by Argentina in the semi-finals.
With Kane looking to add the Ballon d'Or to his already illustrious list of individual accolades, we take a look at the last English player to have received the award.
Who was the last English player to win the Ballon d'Or?
Michael Owen became the fourth, and most recent Englishman, to win the Ballon d'O when clinching the award in 2001.
Owen, who won the award just four days after his 22nd birthday, played a leading role as Liverpool sealed the UEFA Cup, FA Cup and League Cup in the 2000/01 campaign, scoring 24 goals and recording seven assists in all competitions.
After three more productive years on Merseyside, the Chester-born striker made the switch to Spanish giants Real Madrid, but he never quite enjoyed the same success post-Anfield, enduring underwhelming spells at Newcastle United, Manchester United and Stoke City that were significantly hindered by injuries.
The award was won for the first time by Blackpool's Stanley Matthews in 1956, with Bobby Charlton becoming the second Brit to win the Ballon d'Or in 1966 on the back of England's World Cup win.
Kevin Keegan is the only Englishman to have won the award in back-to-back years, winning in 1978 and 1979 following his move from Liverpool to Hamburg.
