Lamine Yamal Wins Young Talent of the Year Award for Third Straight Year

Barcelona and Spain forward Lamine Yamal has won the 2026 Ballon d’Or Young Talent of the Year award, becoming the first player to claim the honour in three consecutive years. The 19-year-old, who previously won in 2024 and 2025, received the prize at Monday’s ceremony in London. He helped Barcelona win La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup during the 2025–26 season, contributing 24 goals and 18 assists in 45 appearances. Yamal used his acceptance speech to praise Barcelona team-mate Pau Cubarsí. He said the young defender had performed brilliantly and deserved to be recognised too. The award, formerly known as the Kopa Trophy, honours the world’s best male player aged 21 or under.

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