Harry Kane took the headlines at the Ballon d'Or, but the evening handed out other prizes that tell their own story about where football's power sits in 2026. Luis de la Fuente was named the world's best coach, Paris Saint-Germain were crowned men's Club of the Year, and Barcelona Femeni took the women's equivalent. Spain, France and Catalonia: that is a lot of familiar addresses.
De la Fuente, at last
The Johan Cruyff Trophy went to the man who steered Spain to the World Cup. De la Fuente, 65, was the clear favourite, and the voters did not overthink it. He beat a strong all-Spanish field of Luis Enrique of PSG, Arsenal's Mikel Arteta and Unai Emery, who won the Europa League with Aston Villa, along with Bayern's Vincent Kompany. Kompany, who was taken to hospital on Friday, was unable to attend.
De la Fuente had finished third in this category after Spain won Euro 2024, so this felt like unfinished business settled. He kept it humble. "It's an honor; just being among the nominees was a prize in itself," he said, calling the win a collective achievement of players and staff, and thanking the Spanish federation, its president and its sporting director.
His most interesting line was about what comes next. "Success is not the end goal: this award is not a goal reached, it's a motivation," he said. For a coach who has now won a European title and a World Cup in the space of two years, that reads as a genuine ambition rather than politeness.
PSG finally have the badge
Paris Saint-Germain were named the best men's club side after winning the Champions League last season. Ousmane Dembele, who is injured and missed PSG's 2-0 win over Lyon on the same evening, accepted the award on the club's behalf, thanking the president, the sporting director, the staff and coach Luis Enrique. He also mentioned the semi-final against Bayern, saying it was an incredible tie that could easily have been decided the other way.
Barcelona Femeni keep winning
On the women's side the result was no surprise. Barcelona Femeni were named Women's Club of the Year, and president Joan Laporta collected the prize, thanking coach Pere Romeu, the directors and the competitions that give his players a stage. The club has become the benchmark for the women's game, and a trophy like this is another sign that the gap between them and the field has not narrowed much.
Taken together, the night was less about shocks than confirmation. The best coach is the man who won the World Cup, the best men's club won the Champions League, and the best women's club is the one everyone has been chasing for years. The interesting question for next October is which of those stories can be repeated.
Award facts: 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony, London. Johan Cruyff Trophy (best coach): Luis de la Fuente, Spain. Shortlist: Luis Enrique (PSG), Mikel Arteta (Arsenal), Unai Emery (Aston Villa), Vincent Kompany (Bayern Munich, absent through illness). Men's Club of the Year: Paris Saint-Germain. Women's Club of the Year: FC Barcelona Femeni.
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