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Harry Kane became England\u2019s first Ballon d\u2019Or winner in 25 years in his native city of London on Monday, beating Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe.<\/strong><\/p>\n Alexia Putellas claimed the women\u2019s prize for a third time to extend Spain\u2019s domination of the award, thanks to her role in leading Barcelona to last season\u2019s Champions League before moving to London City Lionesses.<\/p>\n The first ever Ballon d\u2019Or ceremony on English soil got off to an inauspicious start as the London traffic caused a delay of nearly an hour, with many of the star names arriving late.<\/p>\n But there was a happy ending for the hometown hero as Kane collected the crowning glory of his career to date, becoming the first Englishman to win the award since Michael Owen in 2001.<\/p>\n The 33-year-old Bayern Munich forward struck a remarkable 73 goals in 65 games for club and country last season, propelling the German giants to a league and cup double.<\/p>\n He also scored six times as England finished third at the World Cup.<\/p>\n \u201cI love to represent my country and to bring this trophy back to them and have an English winner I think is something that\u2019s really, really special, especially here in London,\u201d Kane told AFP. \u201cWhat a crazy night and I\u2019m really, really happy.\u201d<\/p>\n Despite being England and Tottenham\u2019s all-time record goalscorer, Kane\u2019s medal collection is limited to German domestic triumphs.<\/p>\n He was on the losing side for Spurs in the 2019 Champions League final against Liverpool and twice tasted bitter defeat in the final of the European Championship with England.<\/p>\n But joining Bayern in 2023 and his remarkable goalscoring consistency have earned him the highest individual award in football.<\/p>\n \u201cMaking the move to Bayern Munich was a big step in my career,\u201d Kane told AFP earlier. \u201cSome people saw it as a risk but for me it was always about improving and seeing if I could get better around the team-mates, the team, the club and it has pushed me onto another level.<\/p>\n \u201cBeing a number nine for Bayern and England you are expected to score goals and to do that the number of times I did last year is something I\u2019m really proud of,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n Putellas back on top\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n The winner in 2021 and 2022, Putellas\u2019s third Ballon d\u2019Or caps her return to the top of the women\u2019s game after an anterior cruciate ligament injury derailed her rise four years ago.<\/p>\n Putellas succeeds Spain team-mate Aitana Bonmati, the winner the past three years whose season was quashed by a leg break.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a consequence of all that we achieved last season,\u201d said Putellas.<\/p>\n \u201cI am really grateful for having been (at Barcelona) 14 seasons as a player, it is something incredible. It was like a perfect story.\u201d<\/p>\n Yamal made the boldest fashion statement of the contenders with a pink flower on the front of his black suit.<\/p>\n The Barcelona winger scooped up the first award of the night for young talent of the year for the third consecutive time.<\/p>\n But the 19-year-old fell short of becoming the youngest ever Ballon d\u2019Or winner, finishing third, after he failed to produce his best form during Spain\u2019s World Cup success.<\/p>\n Mbappe finished second but his wait to win the Ballon d\u2019Or goes on despite being the top scorer in the World Cup, Champions League and La Liga as his goals did not lead to collective triumphs for France or Real Madrid.<\/p>\n Luis de la Fuente beat out Paris Saint-Germain\u2019s Luis Enrique and Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta to be named men\u2019s coach of the year after leading Spain to World Cup glory.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is recognition for a job very well done over many years,\u201d De la Fuente told AFP. \u201cI believe Spanish football, both in terms of coaching and the game itself, serves as an example of excellent youth development, which ultimately paves the way for future success.\u201d<\/p>\n Barcelona\u2019s Pere Romeu scooped the prize for women\u2019s coach of the year.<\/p>\n Paris Saint-Germain missed out on any of the main individual awards despite winning a second consecutive Champions League, but did have the consolation of men\u2019s club of the year.<\/p>\n Spanish duo Unai Simon and Cata Coll were named best men\u2019s and women\u2019s goalkeeper.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n