Farcical leak overshadows Harry Kane’s historic Ballon d’Or win
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Harry Kane and Alexia Putellas’ historic Ballon d’Or and Ballon d’Or Feminin wins were overshadowed by an untimely leak, with pre-prepared articles going live hours before the ceremony that claimed several different nominees had been crowned.
Kane, a Bayern Munich striker, became the first Englishman since 2001 to win the prestigious individual award, with Michael Owen the last to do so. Meanwhile, Putellas became the first female player to win the Ballon d’Or Feminin three times.
Articles about Harry Kane and Lamine Yamal winning the Ballon d’Or were published before the ceremony. X/@@JacobsBen
Kane walked into the ceremony as the favourite to win football’s top don, breaking a number of goal-scoring records in the Bundesliga and Champions League.
But fans were left confused four hours before it was announced on stage due to a mishap on the official Ballon d’Or website.
An article titled ‘Harry Kane wins the 2026 Ballon d’Or’ was posted to the site hours before the ceremony. The exact same headline with names switched out ran above articles separately claiming Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappé had won, leaving fans wondering how France Football, the magazine that organises the award, had made such a monumental mess.
In a statement to the BBC, a spokesperson of the Ballon d’Or admitted the prepared profiles of some nominees had “inadvertently (been) published”.
“These articles had been prepared for all nominees and should in no way be considered as an indication of the final results or ranking,” the statement read.
The same shambolic issue unfolded for nominees of the Ballon d’Or Feminin, with London City Lionesses Putellas and Barcelona’s Ewa Pajor.
Putellas put the controversy aside as she delivered a touching message to the next generation after her victory.
“If you want to play football, play football. Doesn’t matter if you are a boy, if you are a girl or where you come from,” she said.
“Don’t listen to someone who tells you that you cannot do it. Just do it, believe in yourself.”
Kane followed, thanking all of those who played a role in his career and admitted he was “speechless” to have received the honour.
Thierry Henry then praised Kane’s success after the England captain concluded his list of thank yous.
Harry Kane and Alexia Putella pose with the trophies. AP Photo/Kin Cheung
“We were all debating and talking about who’s supposed to win or not ... but I have to say something about Harry,” Henry said.
“I’ve seen the beginning, we’ve all seen the beginning, and Harry Kane is a perfect example of how work ethic is a talent. This guy had to suffer really hard to achieve what he achieved.
“Whatever it is, you are a worthy winner. Well done.”
Kane took to the stage twice during the ceremony after he won striker of the year, with Mexico’s Charlyn Corral claiming the honour in the women’s category.
But before all eyes turned to Kane and Putellas, everyone was left in awe of Spain’s production line of talent as the nation swept the first eight awards given at the ceremony.
Barcelona duo Yamal and Vicky Lopez claimed the young talent awards. Barcelona’s Pere Romeu won women’s coach of the year and Luis de la Fuente won men’s coach of the year after leading Spain to victory at the 2026 World Cup.
Barcelona’s Cata Coll and Spain’s Unai Simon won goalkeeper of the year before Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka broke up the Spanish party and delivered a touching speech after winning the Socrates award – given to a footballer involved in humanitarian and societal work. Club of the year went to Barcelona for the women’s game and the Spanish national team in the men’s game.
