Quick Answer: What Happened at the Ballon d’Or 2026?
Barcelona players won three of the major individual awards at the Ballon d’Or 2026 ceremony in London on October 26, 2026. Alexia Putellas won the Women’s Ballon d’Or, Lamine Yamal won the men’s Kopa Trophy for the third straight year, and Vicky López won the women’s Kopa Trophy for the second straight year. Barça’s Pere Romeu was also named Women’s Coach of the Year. Harry Kane of Bayern Munich won the men’s Ballon d’Or.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Award | Winner | Club / Country |
|---|---|---|
| Women’s Ballon d’Or | Alexia Putellas | Barcelona / London City Lionesses, Spain |
| Men’s Kopa Trophy (best under-21) | Lamine Yamal | FC Barcelona, Spain |
| Women’s Kopa Trophy (best under-21) | Vicky López | FC Barcelona, Spain |
| Women’s Coach of the Year | Pere Romeu | FC Barcelona |
| Men’s Ballon d’Or | Harry Kane | Bayern Munich, England |
The 70th edition of the Ballon d’Or was held at the London Palladium. It was the first time the ceremony has ever left Paris for London.
Why Barcelona Owned the Night
The men’s Ballon d’Or went to Kane, so let’s be precise: this was not a clean sweep. But look at who walked away with the awards that shape the future of the sport. Barça players took the Women’s Ballon d’Or and both Kopa Trophies, and a Barça coach was honoured too.
In the women’s game, the club also took the top two places. Ewa Pajor finished second to Putellas in the Women’s Ballon d’Or voting. In the women’s Kopa Trophy, Clara Serrajordi finished second behind Vicky López. Two Barça players on the podium in both women’s categories says a lot about the depth of the squad and of La Masia.
Alexia Putellas Wins the Women’s Ballon d’Or
Alexia Putellas won the 2026 Women’s Ballon d’Or, her third, after winning in 2021 and 2022.
Her win ends a three-year run for her Barça teammate Aitana Bonmatí, who took the award in 2023, 2024 and 2025. It also completes a long road back for Putellas, who tore her ACL just before Euro 2022 and had to rebuild her career from there.
Putellas is listed under both Barcelona and London City Lionesses for the 2025-26 season. She is a Barça icon, and this award belongs to the club’s story.
Lamine Yamal Wins the Kopa Trophy for the Third Year in a Row
Lamine Yamal has won the men’s Kopa Trophy three times: 2024, 2025 and 2026.
The Kopa Trophy honours the best player under 21 in the world. Yamal had already become the first two-time winner in 2025, and he now stretches that record to three. Even so, he used his moment on stage to say that teammate Pau Cubarsí deserved this one more. That kind of humility is part of why he is so widely loved.
Cubarsí was himself on the 2026 men’s Ballon d’Or shortlist, which shows how many world-class young players Barcelona keep producing.
Vicky López Wins the Women’s Kopa Trophy Again
Vicky López won the women’s Kopa Trophy in 2025 and again in 2026.
The women’s Kopa Trophy was introduced in 2025, and López has won it both times it has been awarded. The Barça midfielder was recognised for her performances during the 2025-26 season.
The Numbers Behind Barça’s Ballon d’Or Legacy
- Women’s Ballon d’Or: Barça players have now won it six times (Putellas three, Bonmatí three).
- Men’s Ballon d’Or: Barça has 12 winners, according to the club, including Cruyff, Ronaldinho and Messi.
- Kopa Trophy: Barça players have won seven Kopa Trophies across the men’s and women’s categories. Before the October 2026 Ballon D’or Gala night, the club counted five in seven editions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Women’s Ballon d’Or 2026?
Alexia Putellas won the 2026 Women’s Ballon d’Or. It is her third, after 2021 and 2022. Barcelona teammate Ewa Pajor finished second.
Who won the Kopa Trophy 2026?
Lamine Yamal won the men’s Kopa Trophy and Vicky López won the women’s Kopa Trophy. Both play for FC Barcelona.
How many times has Lamine Yamal won the Kopa Trophy?
Three times in a row: 2024, 2025 and 2026. He is the only player to have won it three times.
Who won the men’s Ballon d’Or 2026?
Harry Kane of Bayern Munich and England won the men’s Ballon d’Or 2026.
Where was the Ballon d’Or 2026 ceremony held?
It was held at the London Palladium on October 26, 2026. It was the first time in the award’s history that the ceremony took place in London.
What is the Kopa Trophy?
The Kopa Trophy is awarded to the best player in the world under 21. It is named after Raymond Kopa, the 1958 Ballon d’Or winner. A women’s version began in 2025.
What This Means for Barça Fans
One night does not decide a season. But the pattern is clear. Barcelona’s academy keeps producing players who win on the biggest stage, and the women’s team keeps setting the standard. Keep an eye on Yamal, López, Cubarsí and Serrajordi, because these awards are likely to keep coming back to Barcelona and La Masia.
Which Barça moment from the night was your favourite? Tell us in the comments.
[…] Quick answer: Pau Cubarsí was one of the 30 nominees for the 2026 Men’s Ballon d’Or and finished 12th in the voting, behind Jude Bellingham. He was also nominated for Men’s Young Talent of the Year, the young-player award also known as the Kopa Trophy. Harry Kane won the Ballon d’Or, and Barcelona teammate Lamine Yamal won the young-player award. […]