Lamine Yamal has been named Young Talent of the Year for the third consecutive year in the 2026 Ballon d’Or awards in London.
Yamal, 19, is a front-runner to win the men’s Ballon d’Or of the year, and that success suggests he will lose the outright award to one of the other two favourites, Harry Kane or Kylian Mbappe.
The teenager was key to Spain’s World Cup victory in the summer, which was his second major international honor after also winning Euro 2024, while winning La Liga with Barca.
After accepting the award, Yamal laughed nervously when asked by co-host Thierry Henry if this wasn’t the award he wanted to win, before adding: “It’s an honor to be here and receive this award.
“I would have liked to see my teammate Cubarsi here because I think this award should have gone to him. He has been playing at an excellent level for a long time.
“This is my third year here with this award. I would like to thank my club and my national team.
“Speaking of this one in particular, this one should have been for Curbasi.”
Ballon d’Or 2026 nominees for Young Player of the Year
- Kerim Alajbegovic (Bosnia and Herzegovina, RB Salzburg/Juventus)
- Ayyoub Bouaddi (Morocco, Lille/Manchester City)
- Pau Cubarsi (Spain, FC Barcelona)
- Yan Diomande (Ivory Coast, RB Leipzig/Real Madrid)
- Lennart Karl (Germany, Bayern Munich)
- Eli Junior Kroupi (France, Bournemouth)
- Lamine Yamal (Spain, FC Barcelona)
- Johan Manzambi (Switzerland, SC Freiburg/Aston Villa)
- Ibrahim Maza (Algeria, Bayer Leverkusen)
- Warren Zaire-Emery (France, Paris-SG)
Where to watch Ballon d’Or 2026: TV channel, live online
In most territories, you can watch the 2026 Ballon d’Or awards ceremony for free on DAZN.
Viewers without an existing DAZN account should do so create a free subscription using your email address.
For other territories, visit List of UEFA Ballon d’Or broadcasts.
