Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal is among 10 nominees for the 2026 Ballon d’Or Men’s Young Talent of the Year award, as he bids to retain the prize he has won in each of the past two editions.
Yamal, 19, is joined on the shortlist by Pau Cubarsí, Ayyoub Bouaddi, Kerim Alajbegović, Yan Diomandé, Lennart Karl, Éli Junior Kroupi, Johan Manzambi, Ibrahim Maza and Warren Zaïre-Emery.
The award, formerly known as the Kopa Trophy, recognises the best male player under the age of 21 as of July 31, 2026. The assessment period covers the 2025-26 season, including international competitions such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Yamal is the standout name on the list after another extraordinary campaign with Barcelona and Spain.
The teenager made 57 appearances, scoring 25 goals and providing 20 assists, while helping Barcelona win the La Liga title and Spanish Super Cup. He also lifted the World Cup with Spain.
The nomination is Yamal’s third in the category. He won the award in 2024 and 2025, making him the first player to win it twice.
Barcelona centre-back Pau Cubarsí also makes the shortlist for a third time. The 19-year-old featured in 62 matches during the season and helped Spain win the World Cup, while also contributing to Barcelona’s domestic success.
Several players receive their first nomination, including Kerim Alajbegović, who made 54 appearances for RB Salzburg before moving to Juventus in August.
Ivory Coast forward Yan Diomandé also earns his first nomination after scoring 16 goals and supplying 10 assists in 50 appearances for RB Leipzig before joining Real Madrid.
Bayern Munich’s Lennart Karl, 18, is another first-time nominee after producing 12 goals and eight assists in 44 appearances during a season in which Bayern won the German league, German Cup and German Super Cup.
Éli Junior Kroupi scored 16 goals for Bournemouth, while Ibrahim Maza recorded seven goals and seven assists for Bayer Leverkusen.
Ayyoub Bouaddi receives his second nomination after finishing ninth in the 2025 voting. The 18-year-old defensive midfielder moved from Lille to Manchester City in August.
The winner will be announced at the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony in London on October 26.
2026 Men’s Young Talent of the Year nominees
- Kerim Alajbegović — RB Salzburg/Juventus
- Ayyoub Bouaddi — Lille/Manchester City
- Pau Cubarsí — Barcelona
- Yan Diomandé — RB Leipzig/Real Madrid
- Lennart Karl — Bayern Munich
- Éli Junior Kroupi — Bournemouth
- Lamine Yamal — Barcelona
- Johan Manzambi — Freiburg/Aston Villa
- Ibrahim Maza — Bayer Leverkusen
- Warren Zaïre-Emery — Paris Saint-Germain