Harry Kane and Alèxia Putellas win men’s and women’s Ballon d’Or awards

By Ben Church, CNN

London, England (CNN) — Harry Kane and Alèxia Putellas have been named the best men’s and women’s soccer players in the world at this year’s Ballon d’Or ceremony.

In a glitzy ceremony that was delayed by a rainy and traffic-logged night in London, the Beautiful Game’s great and good gathered to celebrate the very best players in the world.

After much debate, it was Kane who was named the men’s Ballon d’Or winner, beating Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal to the prize.

The English striker enjoyed a simply brilliant season last year, scoring 73 goals in 65 competitive matches for club and country – winning the league and cup double with club Bayern Munich.

The 33-year-old was emotional during his speech, cheered onto the stage by chants of “Harry, Harry” from a home crowd.

“It being here in London as well has made it extra special,” Kane said after winning his first Ballon d’Or.

“Thank you very much. Thank you to everyone who voted for me. I can imagine it was really tough this year – some incredible players I was up against.”

Kane is the first Englishman to win the award since Michael Owen in 2001.

Meanwhile, Putellas won the women’s award for the third time. The 32-year-old was expected to beat her rivals after another dominant season with Barcelona Femení, where she was the heartbeat of the club’s unrivaled success.

She captained the side to a quadruple of trophies – the league title, two domestic cups and the Women’s Champions League – before signing for the London City Lionesses in England this summer.

“I don’t know what to say, too many things. Congrats to all the nominees, congrats to all the winners,” Putellas said in her acceptance speech on stage.

“That so many Barça players were nominated says a lot about the season we had. … It was my honor to be your captain.”

The voting for the men’s and women’s Ballon d’Or is down to selected journalists who vote on behalf of their nation.

Each voter ranks their 10 best players, with points distributed on a descending scale depending on their place in the list.

Spain and Barça dominate

The scene of hundreds of kids damaging security barriers and climbing buildings to get a better view of their heroes arriving on Monday was another reminder of how much this sport means to fans.

And many of the biggest names turned up to London’s historic Palladium Theatre, braving the wintry conditions on the red carpet.

Yamal drew one of the loudest reactions as he walked up the red carpet, and while he didn’t win the award he most wanted, the 19-year-old was named Young Talent of the Year for a third successive time.

It follows a trophy-laden season for both club and country in which the teenager won La Liga for Barcelona and the World Cup for Spain.

Meanwhile, Barça’s Vicky López was named the Women’s Young Talent of the Year for a second successive time, capping off a brilliant season with the Blaugrana that dominated across both the men’s and women’s categories.

The Spanish and Catalan dominance continued with Spain manager Luis de la Fuente claiming Men’s Coach of the Year after his World Cup glory and Barcelona Femení manager being named Women’s Coach of the Year after guiding his team to practically every trophy.

Full list of winners

• Ballon d’Or: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich and England)
• Ballon d’Or Fémenin: Alèxia Putellas (Barcelona Femení/London City Lionesses and Spain)
• Men’s Club of the Year: Paris Saint-Germain
• Women’s Club of the Year: Barcelona Femení
• Men’s Young Talent of the Year: Lamine Yamal (Barcelona and Spain)
• Women’s Young Talent of the Year: Vicky López (Barcelona Femení and Spain)
• Men’s Coach of the Year: Luis de la Fuente (Spain)
• Women’s Coach of the Year: Pere Romeu (Barcelona Femení)
• Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year: Unai Simón (Athletic Bilbao and Spain)
• Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year: Cata Coll (Barcelona Femení and Spain)
• Sócrates Award (best humanitarian actions by a player): Bukayo Saka (Arsenal and England)
• Men’s Striker of the Year: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich and England)
• Women’s Striker of the Year: Charlyn Corral (CF Pachuca and Mexico)

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