Key events
Righto, Barney Ronay’s match report is here…
…which means that’s it from me. Thanks all for your company and comments – sorry I couldn’t get to them all – mazal tov to all the winners, Alexia and Aitch in particular, and peace out.
I’ve no clue how he managed all that without leaking eyeballs; I’m halfway there myself. I guess that’s the kind of composure that gets you 77 goals in 68 appearances, an absolute outrage of a season.
“And then lastly for me it’s just the journey. For any young boy or girl wanting to achieve their dream, anything is possible with hard work when no one else is watching. To go through the ups and downs, to learn with resilience, determination and self-belief … anything is possible.
My journey wasn’t straightforward, I wasn’t the kid who went straight to the top. I had to experience the downs, I had to experience a lot of low moves, I had to fight my way to be the very best right now and i hope that can give you inspiration. Thank you.”
Well said, Aitch/Haitch; beautifully done.
Now he moves to Kate, his wife and best friend. They’ve been through ups and downs; she’s his biggest supporter and wanted this more than he did.
There was an anxious wait to find out, “it’s been horrible for you so here it is, we dun it. Yo always want the best for me, you sacrifice yourself to help me achieve my dreams and I know they’re your dreams as well. It wouldn’t be possible without you, this is trophy that we celebrate, me and you, all our close-knit team so I just want to say i love and celebrate tonight, I love you.”
Finally it’s his kids, past whose bedtime it is; goodness me, imagine Harry Kane being your dad, and yet at the same time, it won’t matter, he’s just their dad.
They’re the reason he does this, they might not appreciate it yet and he brings a few trophies home, but this one’s a special one.
“I can’t wait to see you and celebrate with you, I want to set a good example, being a father but also being a professional, what it means to work hard, what it means to believe in yourself and yeah, I love you very much.” Gosh, he’s giving out a lot of love here and it’s moving to enjoy.
Now it’s on to his parents, who’ve travelled all over watching him play without ever putting pressure on him to become a footballer – “It was always about working hard, it was always about improving, it was always about learning,”, a lesson there for us all. The traits they’ve given him have allowed him to be successful, and he loves them. Ahhh, that’s a lovely tribute, may we all cause our kids to feel that way about us.
His brother-agent Charlie is next – “It doesn’t seem like long ago since we were kicking a ball about in the garden and park, watching football, talking about football, just football mad – “and looking like Scott Dissick,” he neglects to add.
He knows Charlie says he gave him his ability, so thanks him for that, and to have an older brother like that, who travels around the world to watch him, giving up time with his family to support.
Now it’s on to the personal thanks, starting with Dr Alejandro Iloriago Callapo, with whom he’s been working for seven years – since he tore his hamstring pretty much off the bone. He thanks the work that no one sees, giving up time away from family, and the friendship they’ve formed, is a true honour.
Now it’s on to Kelly, Gary and Tom, his parents and brother-in-law. They live their emotions together, they’ve made him feel part of the family since he stepped into their house at 18 and they allow him to do what he does on the pitch through what they do off it.
“Wow, wow wow” begins our Ballon d’Or laurearte, saying it’s lucky he’s got a list. He thanks France Football, all those who voted for him, it was a difficult choice, and his teammates, some of whom he was up against.
He then talks about how his teammates push him, citing Dayot Upamecano, who he faces in training, then sends his best wishes to Vincent Kompany, hoping this has given him a lift.
He moves on to the Bayern suits, musing on what an honour it is to play for the club, then he talks about England, saying it wasn’t exactly what they wanted, but they had a great year, it’s an honour to captain the squad, and Thomas Tuchel also pushed him.
Now it’s on to Spurs, cue wild cheers in the auditorium. He wouldn’t be where he is today without the club, he was there from 11, living his dream, and he thanks the Spurs fans around the world. The support he gets in the ground, on social media – he appreciates it all. He used to be a fan himself and anytime he can give back he’s happy to.
Now it’s on to coaches who’ve helped him –Bradley Allen, Chris Ramsey, John McDermott, Alex Inglethopre, Ryan Mason, who’s one of his best friends, Kenny Jackett, Russle Slade, Mauricio Pochettino, Jose Mourinho Antonio Conte, Roy Hodgson, then Vinny and Thomas all of whom played a key role in his development and without any of them he wouldn’t be here now.
“Harry, Harry, Harry, Harry!” chant the home crowd, but now it’s time to hear from the man himself – if the crowd will let him speak.
The winner of the men’s Ballon d’or for 2026 is Harry Kane of Bayern Munich and England
Biggup and hold tight to a machine and a mensch.
OK, here we go … but first, more blather about how tightly contested it is this year, a reflection of lacking quality, rather than quality itself, but here we go…
Now it’s time for R9 to present the men’s award; he’s asked which player he’d play to watch … and he says Luis Figo, pointing at his mate. Honk!
Asked if this is the best of her Ballons d’Or, she says the first one was special. This one though, the way they played last season and won, giving so much happiness to their supporters, after 14 years in Barca, the club she loves, it’s the best way to finish.
Putellas says she’s speechless, them thanks her teammates, talks about the great season that’s been, and says anyone on the shortlist could’ve won it. She had some incredible experiences with her team, they overcame obstacles and injuries, and it’sa great source of pride for her to have been captain.
She thanks Pera, saying he deserves his award as a great coach and person, also the Barca fans, and adds that she’s been going 14 years and there’ll be many more. She’s only seen the management team briefly this evening, but thanks them for being by their side and she hopes they’ll see one another soon; “this prize is for Barcelona”.
She then thanks her international teammates, saying it was an incredible year as they won the Nations league again, citing in particular the semi-final against Sweden, then looks forward to the World Cup in Brazil – they’ll try their best.
Now it’s on to the people in her off-pitch life, her family, her mum, her sister, her friends. She had trouble with injuries and thanks them for the support they gave her, allowing her to enjoy football again.
Then, in English:
“To all the boys and girls in the world, if you want to play football, play football, it doesn’t matter if you’re a boy, a girl,or where you come from. Don’t listen if someone tells you you can’t do it, just do it, believe in yourself – that’s the most important thing, if you have a dream, believe in it, even if, at some point you have to start from zero, and the most important thing, do it with love and passion.”
I’m on my feet!
The winner of the women’s Ballon d’Or for 2026 is Alexia Putellas of Barcelona/London City Lionesses and Spain
This is her third time taking it home, and surely no one can argue against her. A total genius and a joy to behold.
“Is this a hydration break?” chortles Wanda Wyporska; well, I’d certainly relish the opportunity to take on board fluids.
OK, decision time: I’d go Putellas and Lamine, but I’ve got a feeling it’ll be Putellas and Kane.
Ahahahaha, it’s time for break; in the auditorium, booing.
Michael Owen, Ballon d’Or winner in 2001, will present the women’s award, and he notes that the year he won, he took a phone call from Gerard Houllier and that was it.
The men’s Ballon d’Or shortlist
Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid and England)
Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona and Spain)
Marc Cucurella (Chelsea/Real Madrid and Spain)
Ousmane Dembele (Paris Saint-Germain and France)
Luis Diaz (Bayern Munich and Colombia)
Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United and Portugal)
Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal and Brazil)
Erling Haaland (Manchester City and Norway)
Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain and Morocco)
Harry Kane (Bayern Munich and England)
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Paris Saint-Germain and Georgia)
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona and Spain)
Sadio Mane (Al Nassr and Senegal)
Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain and Brazil)
Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan and Argentina)
Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid and France)
Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain and Portugal)
Lionel Messi (Inter Miami and Argentina)
Joao Neves (Paris Saint-Germain and Portugal)
Michael Olise (Bayern Munich and France)
Willian Pacho (Paris Saint-Germain and Ecuador)
Julian Quinones (Al Qadsiah and Mexico)
Declan Rice (Arsenal and England)
Rodri (Manchester City/Barcelona and Spain)
Fabian Ruiz (Barcelona/Paris Saint-Germain and Spain)
William Saliba (Arsenal and France)
Ferran Torres (Barcelona/Paris Saint-Germain and Spain)
Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich and France)
Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid and Brazil)
Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain and Portugal)
The women’s Ballon d’Or shortlist
Selma Bacha (OL Lyonnes and France)
Barbra Banda (Orlando Pride and Zambia)
Esmee Brugts (Barcelona and Netherlands)
Klara Buhl (Bayern Munich and Germany)
Mariona Caldentey (Arsenal and Spain)
Scarlett Camberos (Club America and Mexico)
Temwa Chawinga (Kansas City Current and Malawi)
Kerstin Casparij (Manchester City and Netherlands)
Cata Coll (Barcelona and Spain)
Corventina Dumornay (OL Lyonnes and Haiti)
Caroline Graham Hansen (Barcelona and Norway)
Alex Greenwood (Manchester City and England)
Patri Guijarro (Barcelona and Spain)
Pernille Harder (Bayern Munich and Denmark)
Yui Hasegawa (Manchester City and Japan)
Rose Lavelle (FC Gotham and USA)
Mapi Leon (Barcelona / London City and Spain)
Lorena Leite (Kansas City Current and Brazil)
Manaka Matsukobo (Chelsea and Japan)
Melvine Malard (Manchester Utd / Chelsea and France)
Ewa Pajor (Barcelona and Poland)
Vivianne Miedema (Manchester City and Netherlands)
Alexia Putellas (Barcelona/London City Lionesses and Spain)
Claudia Pina (Barcelona and Spain)
Wendie Renard (OL Lyonnes and France)
Alessia Russo (Arsenal and England)
Momoko Tanikawa (Bayern Munich and Japan)
Khadija Shaw (Manchester City and Jamaica)
Tessa Wullaert (Como and Belgium)
Caroline Weir (Real Madrid and Scotland)
The award is dedicated to Christophe Gleizes, a French journalist who travelled to Algeria to investigate the death of JS Kabylie player Albert Ebossé in May 20-24, was arrested, and has been imprisoned ever since.
Out come the big pots, the gold football simple, elegant, and same as it ever was.
Now for a piano interlude, the artist actually called Emilio Piano – a happy chance.
Kane thanks his teammates and coaches; to score this amount of goals is a team effort, with those around him pushing him in training and matches. His family and team around him keep him humble and grounded; he and his wife Kate are in this together, everything they do is together and this wouldn’t be possible without her.
“When you do things in good faith and with a full heart, everything is worth it,” Corral teaches us. That’s a lovey sentiment, beautifully expressed.
Men’s striker of the year is Harry Kane of Bayern Munich and England
He receives the biggest cheer of the evening so far.
Women’s striker of the year is Charlyn Corral of Pachuca and Mexico
Being here fills her with pride and satisfaction.
Now Alan Shearer and Sophie Turner take to the stage to present the awards to the strikers of the year.
Kate asks Sophie who she’d play and, when she says Chloe Kelly, she’s asked to imitate her famous celebration, then Shearer is reminded by Thierry that he only won Premier League top scorer three times, not four.
We also honour Jayden Adams, the South African who died tragically, aged 25, and the genius Franco Baresi. Sleep well, chaps.
Now it’s time to remember Kevin Keegan, a one-off as a player and personality. Godspeed, old mate.
Now that you don’t ask, the correct answer is Johan Cruyff. None of the others changed the game in the way that he did, and what we watch today is significantly because of him.
There’s an at-home vote, it appears, for the Ballon d’Or winner of all time, on the shortlist all those who’ve won the award more than once.
Messi
Ronaldo
Platini
Cruyff
Van Basten
Beckenbauer
Ronaldo
Di Stefano
Keegan
Rummenigge
These results will be announced on Wednesday.
Tom Garry
Barcelona look firmly on course to complete a clean sweep of the women’s awards and it is no surprise, after their resounding 4-0 victory over OL Lyonnes in May’s Champions League final. This year’s rearranged WAFCON took place outside of the dates for the voting period for this year’s award, so with that in mind, without a World Cup or Euros in the women’s game in 2026, all of the focus was likely to be on the Champions League, where the Spanish champions reigned supreme. Alexia Putellas – the favourite for the main prize – may be a London City Lionesses player now but, if she wins, it will be celebrated by Barcelona. She was back to her best with seven assists and seven goals from midfield in last season’s Champions League campaign. The idea of her taking the trophy to Ditton in Kent, where her current team train, is still a bit hard to get your head around.
Asked if he had any doubts about winning consecutive Champions Leagues, he says the season is long – even if he has plenty of it off, he doesn’t add – saying Bayern were very good and they played an amazing final against Arsenal. This season, there are amazing teams playing, and we’ll see what happens.
He thanks the club, staff and Luis Enrique, cut to Mbappe, who’s missing all the glory. They’ve created an incredible club and always fight together, side by side, whole trying to bring joy and pleasure to all who watch the matches, supporters and not.
Men’s club of the year is … Paris Saint-Germain for the second year in a row
Ousmane Dembele will collect the award.
We’re back for the men’s club of the year…
It’s time for another break.
Joan Laporta, the Barcelona president, is very happy. He feels Barcelona men are candidates to win the Champions League this season.
Women’s club of the year is … Barcelona for the third time in four years
Yes, this is football, but I’m not sure anyone can argue with that one.
Patrick Vieira and Sol Campbell will present, so spend time praising each other; Wenger’s favourites were Henry and Bergkamp, while Vieira would turn up at training barely able to walk, then charge about the pitch as he did.
Men’s Club of the Year nominees
Arsenal
Bayern Munich
Bodo/Glimt
Flamengo
PSG
Women’s Club of the Year nominees
FC Barcelona
Bayern Munich
Club America
Manchester City
OL Lyonnes
Saka reads a letter from Biren Giroe, a boy in Rwanda who was losing his sight, struggling to read the blackboard and play with his friends. Big Shoe has restored his sight and, just as many people in the auditorium are realising their dreams, now he can do the same and achieve his ambition of becoming an English teacher. I fear my eyeballs may be sweating.
The winner of the Socrates award for social action and humanitarianism is Bukayo Saka for his Big Shoe charity
Well done sir.
He says Henry was one of his football heroes and that he’s opened a football academy in Nigeria and hopes one day he’ll be back to see one of his people getting an award,
Time for the Socrates award, dedicated to the memory of the Brazilian hero on account of his social action. It’s going to be presented by … Burna Boy.
“Best-ever goalie was binman Nev, absolutely stunning player,” writes Dave Penfold. ‘I used to work with the ex-national goalie for Norway, and he had videos of Southall to study. I will not be taking questions on this matter.”
The best keeper of my childhood, by a distance, but Schmeichel took it on – in mine.
In interview, Simon says goalies are under different pressure to other players but as they grow up they learn to deal with it and to handle mistakes. He’s proud to be there.
