Harry Kane took the big trophy, but Spain owned the rest of the night. Spanish players and coaches won seven of the 11 individual awards at the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony, and Barcelona’s women also took the club prize. Here is who won what, and why it matters.
Lamine Yamal Makes Kopa Trophy History
Lamine Yamal missed out on the Golden Ball, but he still made history. He won the Kopa Trophy for the best young men’s player for the third year in a row, a record no other player has come close to. He first won it in 2024, a day after his 17th birthday. He is only 19 now. He also finished third in the main vote, behind Kane and Mbappé. Do the math on where that is heading.
Luis de la Fuente Wins the Johan Cruyff Trophy
This was the easiest call of the night. Spain’s coach won the men’s Johan Cruyff Trophy after leading his country to the World Cup, adding to Euro glory in the same two-year stretch. He is the first national team coach to win it. Carlo Ancelotti won in 2024 and Luis Enrique last year.
Unai Simón Takes the Yashin Trophy
Peter Schmeichel handed Unai Simón the Yashin Trophy and called it no surprise. The judges backed de la Fuente’s World Cup decision to trust Simón above his countrymen. The club story was tougher. Athletic finished 12th in La Liga, and Simón kept only six league clean sheets in 37 appearances. Cata Coll of Barcelona won the women’s Yashin Trophy.
Saka’s Sócrates Award: The Feel-Good Moment
Not every prize is about goals. Bukayo Saka received the Sócrates Award for his humanitarian and charitable work. He read a letter from a 14-year-old in Rwanda helped by BigShoe, the children’s medical charity he works with. That work includes funding 120 operations for children in Kano, Nigeria, the country both his parents come from.
Nigerian fans get a bonus, too as Burna Boy presented the award.
Barcelona’s Women Rule Again
Alexia Putellas won the women’s Ballon d’Or for the third time. Her Barcelona colleagues piled up honours too.
Pere Romeu was named best women’s coach,
and Vicky López took the women’s Kopa Trophy.
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