Lamine Yamal has been named Best Young Talent at the Ballon d’Or ceremony, held at the London Palladium Theatre in London. The Spain and FC Barcelona star has received this prestigious accolade for the third time. The award recognises the best player under the age of 21 in international football and further confirms his standing as one of the biggest stars in the world game.

The numbers tell much of the story behind the success of Spain’s number 19, who this season lifted the most prestigious trophy in world football with the national team: the 2026 World Cup. During the tournament, he scored his first World Cup goal against Saudi Arabia and collected two Player of the Match awards—in the round-of-16 clash against Austria (3–0) and the quarter-final against Belgium (2–1)—before being crowned world champion after the final against Argentina on 19 July. This triumph gave him his second major title with Spain, following Euro 2024, which he won at just 17 years of age.

His career with Spain has been defined by precocious achievement ever since his senior international debut on 8 September 2023 against Georgia, aged just 16 years, one month and 26 days. He also scored in that very match. Since then, the winger has recorded 11 goals and 12 assists in 37 appearances, with his four most recent goals coming against England, Croatia (two) and Czechia in the newly launched UEFA Nations League.

His development at FC Barcelona has been just as remarkable. In the most recent campaign, he registered 24 goals and 16 assists, becoming a key figure as the Catalan club secured LaLiga and the Spanish Super Cup.

His attacking output, ability to create chances and influence on the game have once again established Lamine Yamal as one of the most decisive players of his generation.

😎 The world’s 𝗕𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 is him once again: Lamine Yamal. #BallonDor https://t.co/v30sNtPxAf

— Spain Men’s National Football Team (@SEFutbol), October 26, 2026