Players who won Ballon d'Or & European Golden Shoe in same season ft. Harry Kane
(Courtesy : Getty)
Kane became the latest player to achieve the double.
Each year, the Ballon d’Or is awarded to the best-performing footballer from the previous season. Stars who have single-handedly fired their clubs to glory while shattering records have dominated the top individual prize.
Of course, goals are the most important part of winning any football match, which is why attacking players, chiefly strikers, have dominated the Ballon d’Or for decades.
Yet, it is interesting to know that only eight times has it happened that the best player in the world was also the one who was the top scorer in Europe’s top five leagues, with the latter being awarded the European Golden Shoe.
Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane has joined an elite group of footballers to win the Ballon d’Or and European Golden Shoe in the same season. The England international scored an astonishing 73 goals, winning the 2026 Golden Ball and finishing as Europe’s leading league goalscorer.
Kane is only the fifth player to achieve this rare feat, previously also accomplished by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Players who won Ballon d’Or & European Golden Shoe in the same season
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| Sl No. | Player | Nation | Seasons |
| 1 | Gerd Müller | Germany | 1969-70 |
| 2 | Ronaldo Nazário | Brazil | 1996-97 |
| 3 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Portugal | 2007-08, 2013-2014 |
| 4 | Lionel Messi | Argentina | 2009-10, 2011-12, 2018-19 |
| 5 | Harry Kane | England | 2025-26 |
1. Gerd Müller – 1970
German legend Gerd Müller was the first player to achieve the historic double of winning both the Ballon d’Or and the Golden Shoe. The Bayern Munich forward had a prolific goalscoring season in 1969-70, netting 38 goals in the German Bundesliga. As a result, he was named Europe’s top scorer and also won the Golden Ball.
Also Read: Harry Kane set to sign new Bayern Munich contract after Ballon d’Or win
2. Ronaldo Nazário – 1997
Dubbed ‘Il Fenomeno’, Ronaldo Nazário had a wonderful season in 1996-97 with FC Barcelona. He scored 34 goals in LaLiga, even though Barcelona finished behind Real Madrid in the league. His individual performance, however, was enough for the Brazilian to win the 1997 Ballon d’Or.
3. Cristiano Ronaldo – 2008 & 2014
Cristiano Ronaldo was the first player to achieve the double more than once. He scored 31 goals in the Premier League for Manchester United in the 2007-08 season, winning the Golden Shoe and his first Ballon d’Or. In the 2013-14 season, he shared the top-scorer award with Luis Suarez, both having netted 31 goals in LaLiga.
4. Lionel Messi – 2010, 2012 & 2019
Ronaldo’s arch-rival Lionel Messi has achieved the double an astonishing three times, all while playing for FC Barcelona. Messi scored 34 goals in LaLiga in the 2009-10 season, winning his first Golden Boot. His tally of 50 LaLiga goals in the 2011-12 season remains a record for a single season in the competition.
He achieved the feat again in 2018-19, scoring 36 goals. Messi has won the Golden Shoe six times, the most in history.
5. Harry Kane – 2026
Harry Kane became the latest player to achieve the double. The England striker scored 36 goals in the Bundesliga in the 2025-26 season, leading Bayern to the league title. He netted 73 goals for club and country, winning his first Golden Ball.
It led to him winning his second European Golden Shoe.
Who won the Ballon d’Or and European Golden Shoe in the same season?
Gerd Müller, Ronaldo Nazário, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Harry Kane have achieved the double in the same season.
How many players have won the Ballon d’Or and European Golden Shoe in the same season?
Five players have achieved the double: Gerd Müller, Ronaldo Nazário, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Harry Kane.
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