Lamine Yamal, winger for FC Barcelona and Spain, was named the best male young player of the year on Monday, October 26, in London during the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony. He won this award for the third consecutive time, while Ivorian Yan Diomandé was among the ten nominees.
The file published by the organizers attributes 25 goals and 20 assists to Yamal in 57 matches during the period under review. The Spanish player also won the World Cup, La Liga, and the Spanish Super Cup.
After receiving his trophy, the Barcelona player thanked his teammates at the club and in the national team. He also stated that his partner Pau Cubarsí deserved this award, according to remarks reported during the ceremony.
The appointment of Yan Diomandé brought an Ivorian presence to this category. The player was included in the official list alongside Yamal, Cubarsí, Ayyoub Bouaddi, Ibrahim Maza, and five other young talents.
This award ceremony took place at the London Palladium, a first for the Ballon d’Or, which is usually held in Paris. The choice of London marks the 70th anniversary of the trophy and pays tribute to the Englishman Stanley Matthews, the first winner in 1956.
For the 2026 men’s edition, the reference period ran from August 3, 2025, to July 19, 2026, and included the World Cup held in North America.
