FC Barcelona forward, Lamine Yamal, was crowned the best young talent in the world for the third consecutive time at the Ballon d'Or Gala held in London. At 19 years old, the young midfielder won the award named after French legend Raymond Kopa, becoming the first player in the history of this category to win the trophy three times in a row.
The award, organized by France Football in collaboration with UEFA, recognizes the footballer under 21 years of age who has stood out between August 1, 2025 and July 31, 2026, a period that includes national leagues, European competitions and the 2026 World Cup. Yamal, who has been one of the main candidates for the Ballon d'Or, has established himself as the reference of the generation, thanks to his versatility, technique and ability to decide games in which Barça and the Spanish team have shone.
The same year, center back Pau Cubarsí, also 19 years old and Yamal's teammate at Barça and in the National Team, was nominated for the same award. Cubarsí, who had already received the award for best young player at the FIFA World Cup, decided not to appear at the gala to focus on his recovery after the demanding competition schedule. His absence was felt on stage, where Yamal expressed his wish that the award go to him.
During the delivery, Yamal thanked his club and national team for the support received. "Good evening everyone, it is an honor to be here. I would have liked Cubarsi to be there, he deserves it. I would have liked it to be for him. It is the third year I have been here. I am very grateful to my club and the national team. I am going to continue working to win titles," commented the Barça striker.
With this victory, Lamine Yamal consolidates himself as one of the most promising talents in world football and reinforces Barça's reputation as an elite youth team. The player's next objective will be to continue contributing to the club's success in the League, the Champions League and the next World Cup, while maintaining his position as a reference for the new generation of footballers.