Ballon d'Or 2026: Lamine Yamal wins third consecutive Men’s Young Talent of the Year award

Barcelona and Spain forward Lamine Yamal has won the 2026 Men’s Young Talent of the Year award, completing a historic hat-trick after also claiming the honour in 2024 and 2025.

The 19-year-old received the Kopa Trophy at Monday’s Ballon d’Or ceremony in London, becoming the first player to win the men’s award three consecutive times since its introduction in 2018.

Yamal’s latest triumph follows another impressive season for Barcelona, during which he helped the Catalan club retain the La Liga title. His performances also strengthened his standing among the leading young players in world football.

The Barcelona forward overcame nine other nominees, including team-mate Pau Cubarsí, Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Warren Zaïre-Emery and Yan Diomande, to retain the award recognising the best young player in world football.

Yamal first won the Kopa Trophy in 2024, aged 17, before successfully defending it in 2025. His third successive victory further strengthens Barcelona’s record in the award, with the club also having produced previous winners Pedri and Gavi.

The Spain international has continued to establish himself as one of Barcelona’s most influential players, combining creativity, attacking threat and maturity despite his age.

His latest individual honour comes as he continues to compete for the biggest prizes in football. Yamal is also among the nominees for the 2026 Men’s Ballon d’Or, raising the possibility of an even more memorable night in London.

The Kopa Trophy, introduced in 2018 and named after former France international Raymond Kopa, recognises the outstanding young footballer of the year. Previous winners include Kylian Mbappé, Matthijs de Ligt, Pedri, Gavi and Jude Bellingham.

At 19, Yamal has already collected three consecutive editions of the award, setting a benchmark for the next generation of emerging football talent.