Kane claimed the award with 1,055 points, narrowly ahead of Real Madrid forward Mbappé on 1,027. Lamine Yamal completed the podium with 881 points, as the England striker prevailed in one of the closest contests in the award’s history.

The margin was smaller than in 2024, when Rodri won with 1,170 points to Vinicius Junior’s 1,119. Dembélé’s victory in 2025, by contrast, was far more comfortable.

There have been even tighter finishes. Bobby Charlton beat Eusebio by a single point in 1966, taking 81 points to the Portuguese forward’s 80. Thirty years later, Matthias Sammer edged Ronaldo Nazário by 144 points to 143.

Further down the 2026 standings, Rodri finished fourth with 726 points, followed by Lionel Messi in fifth with 612 and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in sixth with 541. Ousmane Dembélé placed seventh (418), Erling Haaland eighth (378), Michael Olise ninth (296) and Fabián Ruiz tenth (201).