Kane beat Mbappe to Ballon d’Or by just 28 points
Harry Kane beat Kylian Mbappe by just 28 points to win the men’s Ballon d’Or, one of the closest results in the award’s history. The Bayern Munich striker is the first English winner since Michael Owen in 2001.
Kane received 1,055 points, Mbappe 1,027 and Lamine Yamal 881, in voting by 100 journalists using a weighted points system. Kane scored 73 goals in 65 matches last season, helping Bayern win the league and cup double and England finish third at the World Cup; the margin was the narrowest since Lionel Messi beat Virgil van Dijk by seven points in 2019.
In short
- Kane edged Mbappe by 28 points.
- He is England’s first winner since 2001.
- Kane scored 73 goals in 65 matches last season.
Explained simply
The Ballon d’Or is an annual award for the world’s best footballer, chosen by journalists from around the world. Voters rank players, with higher positions earning more points, so the final total reflects both how many journalists back a player and how highly they place him.
Harry Kane is an English striker who plays for Bayern Munich in Germany; Kylian Mbappé is a French forward, and Lamine Yamal is a Spanish winger. The award is judged on players’ performances over a season, including their goals and contributions to club and international teams.