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Sporting News AU· Just nowSport

Humble hero Kane the perfect heir to Matthews as Ballon d'Or comes 'home'

Harry Kane has won the Ballon d'Or at a ceremony held in London, the home of football. The award marked its 70th anniversary and honoured Stanley Matthews, its inaugural winner. Kane said the win was massive for England and that he was proud to put the country back on the map. He thanked his youth coaches, parents and wife, and said he still treats every season as if he were a young player. Michael Owen, a former winner, presented the women's award to Alexia Putellas.

Humble hero Kane the perfect heir to Matthews as Ballon d'Or comes 'home'
Sporting News AU· Just nowSport

Top 10 Ballon d'Or rankings results as Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal finish behind winner Harry Kane for 2026

England striker Harry Kane has won the 2026 Ballon d'Or, beating Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe by a narrow margin. The awards were held in London for the first time, at the Palladium Theatre. Kane, 33, won his first award on home soil. The organisation also released full rankings of the 30 nominees in both the men's and women's categories. On the women's side, Alexia Putellas won her third Ballon d'Or, sharing the title's recent history with Aitana Bonmati.

Top 10 Ballon d'Or rankings results as Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal finish behind winner Harry Kane for 2026
Sporting News AU· Just nowSport

Trae Young is doing exactly what Wizards need despite shooting woes

Trae Young, known for his prolific three-point shooting, has struggled with accuracy this season, shooting under 40 percent from the field and just over 30 percent from beyond the arc. Despite these shooting woes, the Wizards point guard has been instrumental in Washington's early-season success, leading the league in assists (11.3 per game) and ranking highly in points created (47.7 per game) and rim assists (7.0). Young's low turnover rate (2.3 per game) and playmaking ability have been crucial for the 2-1 Wizards, who are looking to climb the Eastern Conference standings.

Trae Young is doing exactly what Wizards need despite shooting woes
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ABC News Just In· Just nowSport

Kane breaks 25-year English drought to claim top football award

Harry Kane has won the Ballon d'Or, becoming the first Englishman to receive the prestigious prize in 25 years. The Bayern Munich striker scored 73 goals for club and country last season and led England to third place at the World Cup. Earlier, Alexia Putellas won her third women's Ballon d'Or. The Spain midfielder ended the three-year reign of teammate Aitana Bonmati. Bonmati was not on this year's shortlist after breaking her leg in December.

Kane breaks 25-year English drought to claim top football award
Sporting News AU· Just nowSport

The Ballon d'Or chaos you may have missed including winner 'leaks', an angry photographer incident and why fans yelled

Harry Kane was named the 2026 Ballon d'Or winner at a ceremony held at the Palladium Theatre in London, the first time the award has been presented outside France. Before the event, the Ballon d'Or website mistakenly published articles naming Kane, Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe as winner, and the articles were later taken down. The ceremony started 45 minutes late because of London traffic. Crowd members repeatedly yelled and booed during the presentations, mostly in support of Kane, and a photographer shouted at Fabrizio Romano during a live DAZN broadcast.

The Ballon d'Or chaos you may have missed including winner 'leaks', an angry photographer incident and why fans yelled
Sporting News AU· Just nowSport

Who won Ballon d'Or 2026? Complete list of soccer award winners

Harry Kane has won the 2026 Ballon d'Or, becoming the first Englishman to take the prize since Michael Owen in 2001. The Bayern Munich forward led his club to a Bundesliga title and scored six goals for England at the World Cup. Alexia Putellas won her third Ballon d'Or Feminin, after scoring 24 goals and providing 13 assists in her final season with Barcelona. The ceremony was held at the London Palladium on Monday night, with the men's award contested by Kane and Lamine Yamal.

Who won Ballon d'Or 2026? Complete list of soccer award winners
Sporting News AU· Just nowSport

Why did Harry Kane win the Ballon d'Or 2026? Goals the name of the game for Bayern Munich, England star

Harry Kane has been named the 2026 Ballon d'Or winner, becoming the first English player to take the award since Michael Owen in 2001. The award was presented at the Palladium Theatre in London. Kane, 33, scored 64 goals in 60 matches for club and country. He scored 36 Bundesliga goals and 14 Champions League goals as Bayern Munich reached the semifinals. At the World Cup he scored twice against DR Congo and from the penalty spot against Mexico.

Why did Harry Kane win the Ballon d'Or 2026? Goals the name of the game for Bayern Munich, England star
Sporting News AU· Just nowSport

Lamine Yamal insists award he won at Ballon d'Or ceremony should have gone to team-mate

Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal collected his third straight Kopa Trophy, the best young player award, at the Ballon d'Or ceremony in London on Monday night. Yamal said he would have preferred to see teammate Pau Cubarsi accept the prize, praising the young defender's excellent recent form. Cubarsi was also nominated but did not win. Yamal was praised for his goals, creativity and dribbling for Barcelona, while Cubarsi's defensive numbers were not judged strong enough to beat him. Yamal did not win the main Ballon d'Or award.

Lamine Yamal insists award he won at Ballon d'Or ceremony should have gone to team-mate
Sporting News AU· Just nowSport

Why Paolo Banchero, Jalen Suggs injuries give Anthony Black massive opportunity

Orlando Magic players Paolo Banchero and Jalen Suggs will miss several weeks due to ankle and knee injuries. Anthony Black, a key player, is expected to take on a larger role in their absence. Black has shown improvement in recent games, scoring 18 points in a win over the Knicks. His performance could impact his future contract negotiations as a restricted free agent.

Why Paolo Banchero, Jalen Suggs injuries give Anthony Black massive opportunity
Sporting News AU· Just nowSport

Cowboys vs. Eagles live score, results, highlights from NFL 'Monday Night Football'

The Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles meet on Monday Night Football in Week 7, both with 2-4 records. Dallas has scored fewer points recently, while Philadelphia has been hampered by injuries. Quarterback Jalen Hurts has been ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering a pulmonary embolism. The game kicks off at 8:15 p.m. ET at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. It is shown on ABC and ESPN, with streaming available through Fubo and the ESPN app.

Cowboys vs. Eagles live score, results, highlights from NFL 'Monday Night Football'
Sporting News AU· Few hours agoSport

Inside Canelo’s record after losses and what it means for Christian Mbilli fight

Canelo Alvarez faces Christian Mbilli on Halloween for the WBC super middleweight title. It is his first fight since losing to Terence Crawford last September. Canelo has lost three fights in his career, to Floyd Mayweather, Dmitry Bivol and Crawford. He recovered after the losses to Mayweather and Bivol, winning his next fights against Alfredo Angulo and Gennady Golovkin. Crawford landed a hook that clipped Canelo's chin in the later rounds, and then retired after the fight.

Inside Canelo’s record after losses and what it means for Christian Mbilli fight
Port Stephens News Of The Area· Few hours agoSport

Nelson Bay golf sensation Lachlan Pearson shines at Special Olympics National Games

Nelson Bay golfer Lachlan Pearson has won a bronze medal in the Level 5 Division 2 category at the Special Olympics Australia National Games in Melbourne. The 18-year-old represented Team NSW at Sandy Golf Links, finishing third in the 18-hole gross division. Pearson, a 12.9 marker at Nelson Bay Golf Club, also won an international gold medal earlier this year at the Macau Golf Masters. The National Games served as a qualifying event for the 2027 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Santiago, Chile.

Nelson Bay golf sensation Lachlan Pearson shines at Special Olympics National Games
Cricket Australia· Few hours agoSport

Captains' minds drift mistily back ahead of Newlands 'grand final'

Captains Pat Cummins and Temba Bavuma have spoken ahead of the third Test at Newlands in Cape Town, which is level at 1-1. Cummins said life has changed a lot since he was 12th man at the 2011 Cape Town Test, when Australia were bowled out for 47. Bavuma, who grew up in the Langa township, said he had felt doubts during his early years and that South Africa are motivated to right the result of their last series in Australia.

Captains' minds drift mistily back ahead of Newlands 'grand final'
Cricket Australia· Few hours agoSport

Smith's match-eve frustration adds to selection puzzle

Steve Smith abruptly left a training session in Cape Town after a neck issue continued to trouble him. Captain Pat Cummins said Australia had yet to settle on its XI for the series decider, describing Smith's fitness as the last piece of the puzzle. Smith was seen grimacing and stretching his neck during nets, and he spoke with coach Andrew McDonald and selection chair George Bailey before leaving. The 37-year-old has battled several ailments during the series. Cummins said the team remained open to all options.

Smith's match-eve frustration adds to selection puzzle
ABC News Just In· Few hours agoSport

Labuschagne must beat mental block to overcome the 30s in third Test

Australia are expected to keep Marnus Labuschagne in the side for the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town. He has not scored a century in his past 47 Test innings. Chief selector George Bailey said there appears to be a block around scores in the 30s, but Labuschagne is still helping the team. Teammate Usman Khawaja suggested the problem may be mental rather than technical. Matt Renshaw is expected to open in place of the dropped Nic Maddinson.

Labuschagne must beat mental block to overcome the 30s in third Test
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Sporting News AU· Few hours agoCricket

Australia to make three changes for Test series decider in Cape Town

Australia is set to make at least three changes to the side beaten by an innings and 31 runs in Gqeberha for the series decider in Cape Town. Channel 7 reports that Beau Webster and Scott Boland will be replaced, while Nic Maddinson has already been dropped. Nathan Lyon, Cameron Green and Cooper Connolly are set to come in. Matthew Renshaw is expected to open alongside Travis Head. Steve Smith must pass a final fitness test on his neck but is expected to play.

Australia to make three changes for Test series decider in Cape Town
Sporting News AU· Few hours agoSport

How long Ivica Zubac will be out for Pacers after latest injury update

Indiana Pacers centre Ivica Zubac sprained his left ankle after stepping on Kelly Oubre Jr.'s foot during a game against the Brooklyn Nets. Zubac left the arena on crutches, but X-rays showed no break. Coach Rick Carlisle said Zubac is unlikely to play in the next game against the Milwaukee Bucks. Jay Huff may start in Zubac's place while he recovers.

How long Ivica Zubac will be out for Pacers after latest injury update
Sporting News AU· Few hours agoSport

‘I genuinely thought I was going to die’: Usman Khawaja opens up on secret illness

Retired Australian batsman Usman Khawaja has revealed he played his entire 88-Test career while living with rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic autoimmune condition. Speaking on ABC's Australian Story, he said he was diagnosed at 22 after intense knee pain, and that he feared he was going to die. Khawaja kept the diagnosis secret, even from close teammates. He went on to play more than 130 times for Australia over 16 years, retiring after the fifth Ashes Test at the SCG in January. He said others with the condition could achieve much too.

‘I genuinely thought I was going to die’: Usman Khawaja opens up on secret illness
Sporting News AU· Few hours agoSport

Has Kylian Mbappe ever won the Ballon d'Or? Real Madrid's previous record and rankings

Kylian Mbappe has not won the Ballon d'Or, football's most coveted individual prize, as of the 2026 ceremony. His closest finish came in 2023, when he placed third behind Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland. Mbappe has been nominated every year since 2017 and has finished in the top 10 each time. He is expected to contend for a top-three finish in 2026, alongside Harry Kane and Lamine Yamal. In 2018 he won the Kopa Trophy, awarded to the best young player under 21.

Has Kylian Mbappe ever won the Ballon d'Or? Real Madrid's previous record and rankings
Sporting News AU· Few hours agoSport

There were actually signs Ty Jerome could lead the NBA in scoring

Ty Jerome leads the NBA in scoring after three games, averaging 34.7 points. The 6-foot-5 guard's performance has surprised many, as he was not ranked in the top 100 by ESPN, CBS Sports, or The Ringer. Jerome's best season came in 2024-25 with the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he averaged 12.5 points and finished third in Sixth Man of the Year voting. His current success is attributed to increased attempts at floaters, 3-pointers, and pick-and-roll possessions.

There were actually signs Ty Jerome could lead the NBA in scoring

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