Every English Ballon d'Or winner in history

Harry Kane is listed among the favourites for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, aiming to become the next Englishman to win football’s most prestigious individual award. Since the prize began in 1956, only four English players have captured it. Stanley Matthews was the inaugural winner in 1956, taking the trophy at age 41 and beating Real Madrid greats Alfredo Di Stefano and Raymond Kopa. Bobby Charlton won in 1966 after England’s World Cup triumph on home soil, scoring twice in the semi-final versus Portugal. Kevin Keegan is the only English player to win twice, in 1978 and 1979, including a signing by Hamburg for a British record £500,000. Michael Owen ended a 23-year wait in 2001.