Lamine Yamal nominated for Ballon d'Or for third time before turning 20

Nineteen-year-old Barcelona star Lamine Yamal has made football history by becoming the first player to be nominated for the Ballon d'Or three times before his 20th birthday. The list of 30 nominees for the 2026 award was officially announced, cementing Yamal's status as a top contender following a dominant season. He previously finished 8th in 2024 and 2nd in 2025.

Yamal's impressive 2026 campaign included securing the La Liga title with Barcelona, where he recorded 24 goals and 18 assists, alongside winning the World Cup with the Spanish national team. His teammate Joao Cancelo has publicly endorsed him as the sole deserving winner, citing his vast collection of domestic and international trophies. The football community continues to deliberate on the final outcome ahead of the upcoming award ceremony.

Following his rapid rise in global football, Yamal remains a frontrunner for the prestigious prize. While experts continue to debate the rankings of the 30 candidates, the support from peers like Cancelo underscores the significant impact the young forward has had on the sport over the past year.