Harry Kane won the men’s Ballon d’Or by just 28 points, one of the smallest winning margins in the award’s history, after finishing ahead of Kylian Mbappe.
Organisers released the voting figures on Saturday. England captain Kane received 1,055 points, while Real Madrid’s France forward Mbappe finished on 1,027.
Bayern Munich striker Kane became the first Englishman to win the award since Michael Owen in 2001. Mbappe also recorded his best finish, finishing well clear of Spain forward Lamine Yamal, who came third with 881 points.
A close contest by historical standards
The margin was the smallest since Argentina great Lionel Messi beat Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk by seven points in 2019. The men’s Ballon d’Or has been decided by a single point on two occasions. England’s Bobby Charlton beat Portugal’s Eusebio by the smallest possible margin in 1966, and Germany defender Matthias Sammer edged out Brazil striker Ronaldo by one point in 1996.
Mbappe may take encouragement from Ronaldo’s own experience of the award. The legendary frontman, who presented Kane with his trophy in London on Monday, went on to win in 1997 and again in 2002.
Kane is the fifth English player to win the Ballon d’Or, following Stanley Matthews (1956), Bobby Charlton (1966), Kevin Keegan (1978 and 1979) and Michael Owen (2001).
A record-breaking season
Kane clinched the prize after scoring 73 goals in 65 matches last season. He helped Bayern Munich to a league and cup double and led England to a third-place finish at the World Cup.
The award is decided by votes from 100 journalists, using a weighted points system. The full results were:
- Harry Kane – 1,055 points
- Kylian Mbappe – 1,027 points
- Lamine Yamal – 881 points
- Lionel Messi – 612 points
- Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – 541 points
- Ousmane Dembele – 418 points
- Erling Haaland – 378 points
- Michael Olise – 296 points
- Fabian Ruiz – 201 points
Mourinho praises Mbappe’s conduct
Real Madrid head coach Jose Mourinho said Mbappe, 27, was handling the disappointment brilliantly. Speaking before Real’s La Liga game against Racing Santander on Sunday, he said: “Kylian is very intelligent and mature. He has very high self-esteem. And at the same time, he has class.”
Mourinho added: “The way he handled the Ballon d’Or for Harry… all I saw and felt was class. And respect. It’s one thing to know you’re the best, and another to have respect for someone who has also worked hard to win a trophy. All I see in him is class.”