India, Oct. 27 -- One of the biggest nights in world football was delayed by nearly an hour because of traffic in London. The London Palladium was chosen to host the ceremony to mark the 70th anniversary of the award's inaugural winner, England's Stanley Matthews, in 1956. The venue also proved fitting as local favourite Harry Kane took home the most coveted prize of the night.

Kane became the fifth English footballer to win the men's Ballon d'Or and the first in 25 years, beating stiff competition from Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe.

On the women's side, Alexia Putellas claimed her third career Ballon d'Or Feminin title, finishing ahead of Ewa Pajor and Melchie Dumornay. Putellas had previously won the award in consecutive years, in 20...