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FC Barcelona and Spain phenom Vicky López has once again been named on the exclusive shortlist for the Women's Young Talent of the Year at the Ballon d'Or awards. Having secured the inaugural honor in 2025, the 20-year-old attacking midfielder stands at the forefront of football's next generation as she aims to make it back-to-back victories.
A Stellar Rise at FC Barcelona
Since making her debut for FC Barcelona in September 2022, López has transformed from a promising starlet into a pivotal cornerstone of the squad. Across four seasons with the Catalan giants, she has starred in over 100 matches and netted 31 goals, demonstrating remarkable tactical versatility and creativity across central midfield and attacking roles.
Her steady growth was evident during the 2023-24 season, where she featured in 37 matches and registered nine goals. She built further momentum throughout subsequent campaigns, confirming her status as one of Europe's most decisive young talents in both domestic competition and the UEFA Women's Champions League.
International Impact with Spain
López's brilliance is not restricted to club football. Having led Spain to glory at the 2022 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, she seamlessly made the transition to the senior international stage. To date, she has earned 23 caps and scored nine goals for the senior Spain national team, providing consistent attacking output on the world stage.
Countdown to London
The shortlist for the 2026 Women's Young Talent category features just five elite players under the age of 21, chosen by an international panel of specialized journalists. The winner will be crowned at the 70th anniversary Ballon d'Or ceremony in London on October 26.
