Lamine Yamal was one of the standout names on the list of nominees for the 2026 Ballon d'Or awards.

Following a superb season with FC Barcelona and the Spanish national team, the winger received two nominations ahead of the ceremony on 26 October.

The footballer, aged just 19, was nominated for the top honour – the Men’s Ballon d'Or – and also for the award for Young Talent of the Season.

Alongside his compatriots Cata Coll and Pau Cubarsí, Lamine Yamal will be one of the players competing for two awards at the same ceremony, which is to be held in London.

However, unlike the others, the young striker has the chance to achieve an unprecedented milestone in the history of this most prestigious award.

Let’s see what this is all about.

History in his hands

If Lamine Yamal manages to lift the Young Talent of the Season award, he will become the first footballer to win this trophy on three consecutive occasions since its inception.

The FC Barcelona forward has already won this award in 2024 and 2025. Winning it again in 2026 would see him achieve a historic ‘hat-trick’.

Since breaking into the Catalan side in 2023, Lamine Yamal has demonstrated his incredible talent on the pitch and has become one of the most promising young players in world football.

Just one year with Barça’s first team was enough for him to be honoured with this award, which recognises the best footballer under the age of 21 for the season.

All winners of the Men’s Young Talent of the Year award

  • 2018 – Kylian Mbappé

  • 2019 – Matthijs de Ligt

  • 2020 – None

  • 2021 – Pedri

  • 2022 – Gavi

  • 2023 – Jude Bellingham

  • 2024 – Lamine Yamal

  • 2025 – Lamine Yamal

  • 2026 – ?

In the two previous editions, Lamine Yamal won the Young Talent of the Season award at the ages of 17 and 18, respectively.

Now aged 19, the young Barcelona forward features on the list of nominees for 2026, having just been crowned world champion with Spain.

His competitors this year will include Pau Cubarsí (FC Barcelona), Yan Diomandé (RB Leipzig/Real Madrid) and Ayyoub Bouaddi (Lille/Manchester City), amongst others. See the full list here.

Will he be able to win the trophy for the third time in a row? Or will the Young Talent of the Season award go to another player this time?

We’ll find out on 26 October in London, where the 70th edition of the Ballon d'Or will be held.