Harry Kane becomes fourth-oldest first-time Ballon d’Or winner at 33 years and 90 days
Harry Kane became the fourth-oldest first-time Ballon d’Or winner at the 2026 Ballon d’Or, aged 33 years and 90 days. He joins Sir Stanley Matthews, Karim Benzema and Lev Yashin among players who first claimed the award in their thirties or later.
Winning the Ballon d’Or is considered one of the top individual achievements in the world of football. While some players have taken the prize in their twenties, the list of older first-time winners includes figures from across eras; Ronaldo Nazário remains the youngest at 21 years and 92 days. Lev Yashin is the only goalkeeper to have won the men’s top individual prize. France Football named its annual award for the world’s best goalkeeper the “Yashin Trophy” in his honour.
Sir Stanley Matthews remains the oldest player to win the Ballon d’Or for the first time, receiving the inaugural award in 1956 at the age of 41 years and 321 days after standout performances for Blackpool. Playing for Blackpool at that time, Matthews was noted for his dribbling ability and longevity. His record as the oldest first-time winner still stands even after seven decades.
Karim Benzema is the second-oldest first-time recipient, clinching the Ballon d’Or in 2022 at the age of 34 years, 302 days following his 2021-22 season with Real Madrid. Benzema helped Real Madrid secure LaLiga and the UEFA Champions League that campaign and scored 44 goals across all competitions. He had played alongside Cristiano Ronaldo at the club, but only gained that individual recognition after Ronaldo departed.
Lev Yashin occupies third place on the list, having won the Ballon d’Or in 1963 at the age of 34 years and 56 days. Yashin is regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers in football history and spent his senior club career with Dynamo Moscow. He remains the only goalkeeper to have won the men’s Ballon d’Or.
Harry Kane claimed his first Ballon d’Or in 2026 at the age of 33 years and 90 days after a 2025-26 season described in the source as sensational for Bayern Munich and the England national football team. In total, he scored 73 goals, including all competitions. His win made him the first Englishman to clinch the award since Michael Owen in 2001.
The ranking of oldest first-time Ballon d’Or winners now reads: Sir Stanley Matthews — 41 years and 321 days (1956); Karim Benzema — 34 years, 302 days (2022); Lev Yashin — 34 years and 56 days (1963); Harry Kane — 33 years and 90 days (2026).
