First, to a historic night for England captain Harry Kane, who has won the Ballon d’Or for the first time. He is the first Englishman in 25 years to win the award.

Kane pipped Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal to claim the most prestigious individual award in football. He scored a sensational 73 goals for the club and country last season. Kane’s name was chanted by the London crowd as he stepped on stage to claim his prize.

Well, this is what Harry Kane had to say. “I’m almost speechless. Being here in London has made it extra special and made it a good omen for me tonight. Thank you to everyone who voted for me. I can imagine it was tough this year. Some world-class players in the room tonight. Congratulations to all the winners and nominees tonight. An impressive showing of determination and hard work can really achieve.”

These were the final standings in terms of the top 10.

So, first, Harry Kane. Second, Kylian Mbappé. Third, Lamine Yamal. Fourth, Rodri, formerly of Manchester City. Fifth, Lionel Messi, whose Argentina side reached the World Cup final. Sixth, PSG’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Seventh, his club teammate, Ousmane Dembélé. Eighth, Manchester City’s Erling Haaland. Ninth was Harry Kane’s teammate at Bayern Munich, Michael Olise. And 10 was Fabián Ruiz.

Ballon d’Or Rankings

The top 10 names in individual football glory

NO. 1 · TOP POSITION

Harry Kane

England’s leading name at the summit

Kylian Mbappé France

2nd Place

Lamine Yamal Spain

3rd Place

Rodri Formerly Manchester City

Lionel Messi Argentina

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia Paris Saint-Germain

Ousmane Dembélé Paris Saint-Germain

Erling Haaland Manchester City

Michael Olise Bayern Munich

Fabián Ruiz Paris Saint-Germain

Spain star Alexia Putellas claimed the Women’s Ballon d’Or.

The London City Lionesses and Spain star Alexia Putellas claimed the Women’s Ballon d’Or for a record-equalling third time. She won the quadruple with Barcelona last season before leaving to join the WSL side over the summer.

Putellas thanked her former Barcelona teammates and head coach Pere Romeu, who won the award for Women’s Coach of the Year earlier in the evening. She scored 26 goals and registered 15 assists in 53 matches for the club and country. This is, what Alexia Putellas had to say. “Thank you to the ones who thought I deserved this award. I don’t know what to say. Too many things. Congrats to all the nominees. Congrats to all the winners. I want to start by saying thank you, teammates. I think anyone here could have fairly won this trophy and be giving this speech here right now.”

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Well, Mexico’s Charlyn Corral won Women’s Striker of the Year. She scored 42 goals in 42 games for her club in all competitions last season. She is the first Mexican player to win an award at the Ballon d’Or ceremony.

And Harry Kane picked up the Men’s Best Striker. The award is based on statistics alone. No journalists or past winners voting for this one.

Barcelona and Spain star Vicky López scooped the Women’s Young Talent of the Year award for the second year running. The 20-year-old had a stellar year for her club, as they won the quadruple.

And Lamine Yamal didn’t leave the ceremony empty-handed, because he won the Men’s Young Talent of the Year for a third consecutive year. Of course, won the World Cup with Spain. He said on stage his teammate Pau Cubarsí at Barcelona should have won the award.

The next two awards were also won by Spaniards. Barcelona star Cata Coll won the Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award, and her compatriot, Unai Simón, won the Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year award, having had a stellar year with Athletic Club and helping Spain win the World Cup during the summer. And as Spain’s dominance continued throughout the evening, Barcelona head coach Pere Romeu was named Women’s Coach of the Year, as we mentioned, and Spain’s men’s coach, Luis de la Fuente, was named Men’s Coach of the Year. It comes after his nation’s World Cup success in Mexico, Canada, and the USA.

Bukayo Saka Wins The Socrates Award

There was another English winner, by the way. Arsenal and England forward Bukayo Saka winning the Socrates Award. Now, this award is presented for humanitarian work. Saka is being honoured for his work partnering with BigShoe to fund 120 life-changing medical conditions and operations for children in Kenya and Nigeria, honouring his family’s heritage.