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Explainer: what is the Ballon d'Or, and who decides it?
Football's best-known individual award, in plain words.
Sources
- What Is The Ballon D’Or? Harry Kane Wins Soccer’s Most Prestigious Award In 2026 - Yahoo Sports · on Banana News
- 2026 Ballon d'Or final rankings: How the top players finished from 1-30 - Yahoo Sports · on Banana News
- I am the Scottish juror on the Ballon d'Or panel and here's why I had to vote for nemesis Harry Kane - The Scotsman · on Banana News
- Harry Kane wins men's Ballon d'Or - Le Monde · on Banana News
- Kane becomes first English winner of Ballon d'Or in 25 years - Sky Sports · on Banana News
- Harry Kane ends England’s 25-year wait for a men’s Ballon d’Or - The Guardian · on Banana News
- Official: Athletic Club star beats Barcelona & Real Madrid players to award at Ballon d’Or gala - Yahoo Sports · on Banana News
- Harry Kane wins 2026 Ballon d’Or ahead of Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe - Yahoo Sports · on Banana News
The Ballon d'Or is football's most prestigious individual award. It is given by France Football, which this year handed the men's trophy for the best male player to Harry Kane.[1]
Voting is done by a panel of jurors. Each voter puts ten players on a ballot, and once the winner is named the organizers release the full list of how every player finished, from 1 to 30.[2][3]
That means the result is a mix of many opinions, not one judge. A player needs support on many ballots to finish near the top of the list.[2]
Jurors do not always vote for players they like. The Scottish juror on this year's panel explained why he had to vote for nemesis Harry Kane.[3]
The night now covers far more than one trophy. There is a women's award, which Alexia Putellas won, and other prizes such as Goalkeeper of the Year, which went to Athletic Club star Unai Simón ahead of Barcelona and Real Madrid players.[6][7]
Kane finished ahead of Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe this year, and the full top 30 shows where every shortlisted player ended up, which is often where the debate starts.[8][2]
Why this year mattered in England: Kane is the first Englishman to win since Michael Owen in 2001, ending a 25-year wait, after a 73-goal season for Bayern Munich and England.[4][5]
The 2026 ceremony was held at the Palladium Theatre in London. Every source we used is linked below, so you can read the full lists and reactions at each outlet.[6]
So when you see a Ballon d'Or headline, it is the end of a long vote, not a single match. This year, Kane's win capped a 73-goal season.[4]
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