Lamine Yamal Sets Ballon d'Or Nomination Record

Lamine Yamal has made history as the first teenage player to receive three Ballon d'Or nominations, securing a place on the 30-man shortlist for the 2026 award. The Barcelona star, who turned 19 earlier this year, was recognized following an exceptional season that saw him play a pivotal role in Spain's 2026 FIFA World Cup victory and Barcelona's La Liga title win. Yamal scored one goal during the World Cup and was a consistent starter for Spain. For Barcelona, he netted 24 goals and provided 17 assists across all competitions, including 16 goals and 11 assists in league play. This marks Yamal's third consecutive nomination for the prestigious award, having also been nominated in 2024 and 2025. He previously set a record as the youngest player ever nominated for the Ballon d'Or and was the youngest to finish in the top three, coming in as runner-up last year. Other notable teenage nominees in the award's history include Kylian Mbappé, Wayne Rooney, and Ronaldo Nazário. Yamal's club teammate Pau Cubarsí, a center-back, also earned a nomination. Yamal is also a strong contender for the Kopa Trophy, awarded to the best young player, where he is aiming for a third consecutive win.