Yamal Makes Ballon d’Or History With Third Nomination Before 20

Lamine Yamal has etched his name into Ballon d’Or history after becoming the first player to receive three nominations for the prestigious award before turning 20.

The Barcelona forward was named among the 30 nominees for the 2026 Ballon d’Or on September 8, marking his third successive appearance on the shortlist.

Born on July 13, 2007, Yamal is still 19 but has already established himself as one of the leading figures in world football, starring for both Barcelona and Spain.

His achievement goes beyond simply being nominated multiple times. While legends such as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have made numerous appearances on the Ballon d’Or shortlist, Yamal’s record is defined by the age at which he has achieved his three nominations.

He first made the shortlist in 2024 at the age of 17, becoming the youngest player ever nominated for the award.

Yamal finished eighth that year after playing a key role in Spain’s European Championship triumph. He moved even closer to the prize in 2025, finishing second behind Paris Saint-Germain winger Ousmane Dembélé following the Frenchman’s treble-winning campaign.

His latest nomination comes after another outstanding season for club and country.

Yamal scored 24 goals and registered 15 assists in 45 appearances for Barcelona in all competitions, helping Hansi Flick’s side retain the La Liga and Supercopa de España titles.

He also played a major role in Spain’s 2026 FIFA World Cup triumph in the United States, Canada and Mexico, featuring in all seven matches, scoring once and providing one assist.

Spain defeated defending champions Argentina in the final in New Jersey in July, with the victory securing the nation’s second World Cup title.

Yamal’s growing collection of honours has strengthened his claim for the 2026 Ballon d’Or. He has won three La Liga titles, in 2023, 2025 and 2026, while also being part of Barcelona’s 2025 domestic treble-winning team.

Read Also: Yamal Surpasses Mbappe As Youngest World Cup Finalist

Individually, he has claimed the Kopa Trophy in consecutive years, in 2024 and 2025, becoming the only player to win the award for the world’s best young player twice.

The teenager has also continued to rewrite Spain’s record books.

Yamal has earned 33 senior international caps and scored seven goals for La Roja, having made his senior debut against Georgia on September 8, 2023, at just 16 years and 57 days.

That appearance made him Spain’s youngest-ever senior player and youngest goalscorer.

Since then, he has helped Spain win Euro 2024, the 2025 UEFA Nations League and the 2026 World Cup, starting all seven matches during the country’s victorious World Cup campaign.

His impressive form has continued into the new club season.

Yamal failed to score in Barcelona’s opening 5-0 win over Elche and their 2-0 victory against Athletic Club before finding the net twice in a 3-2 win over Rayo Vallecano.

He added another brace in Barcelona’s 5-0 away victory against Valencia at the weekend, a result that sent Flick’s side three points clear at the top of the early La Liga standings.

Barcelona will next face Feyenoord at home on September 9 as they begin their Champions League campaign, with Yamal expected to play a central role in the club’s pursuit of a first European title in more than a decade.

His third Ballon d’Or nomination comes after an extraordinary series of achievements. Yamal has been the youngest nominee in the award’s history, finished eighth and second in successive years, won back-to-back Kopa Trophies and collected major domestic and international honours, including a World Cup triumph.

Now, before reaching his 20th birthday, he has added another unprecedented milestone by becoming the first player ever to receive three Ballon d’Or nominations at such a young age.

The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony is scheduled for October 26 at the London Palladium Theatre, marking the first time the ceremony will be held outside Paris.

Yamal will compete alongside defending winner Dembélé and other leading stars, including Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappé and 39-year-old Lionel Messi.

Yamal responding to questions on Ballon d’Or in a news conference ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League opener against Feyenoord said, “Firstly, it doesn’t depend on me [who wins the Ballon d’Or], it depends on you [the media].”
“This year has been incredible, with Barça and with Spain. There’s a chance I could win it because I have had a great year.

“I don’t think I need to run a campaign. I am proud of the year I had, winning the World Cup and LaLiga. I can’t ask for anything else.

“There are other players who have been at an incredible level. But it’s your job [to decide]; I am not going to beg for anything.”

Regardless of the final result, Yamal has already secured a unique place in the history of the Ballon d’Or.