Lamine Yamal Makes Ballon d’Or History After 2026 Nomination
Lamine Yamal has added another extraordinary achievement to his rapidly growing list of records after earning a place among the nominees for the 2026 Ballon d’Or.
Barcelona are once again heavily represented among the nominees, with Yamal joined by teammates Rodri and Pau CubarsÃ. However, the biggest headline may belong to the 19-year-old winger, who has already reached a milestone that even Lionel Messi failed to accomplish at the same age.
Yamal Sets an Unprecedented Ballon d’Or Record
Yamal’s latest nomination means he has now been shortlisted for the Ballon d’Or three times before turning 20.
No player in the history of the prestigious award has achieved that feat before, including Messi.
The Barcelona star’s progression has been remarkable. After finishing eighth in the 2024 rankings, Yamal climbed all the way to second place in 2025.
Now, he enters the 2026 ceremony as one of the leading candidates to finally take the trophy home.
From Eighth to Potential Winner
Yamal’s Ballon d’Or journey has followed an almost unbelievable trajectory.
His eighth-place finish in 2024 established him among the world’s elite despite his age. A year later, he went even further by finishing runner-up.
With another nomination secured, the question is no longer whether Yamal belongs in the conversation—it is whether he can finally finish at the very top.
His early-season form has certainly strengthened his case. The Barcelona winger has emerged as one of La Liga’s most dangerous creative players, leading the competition for chances created during the opening rounds.
The Competition Will Be Fierce
Winning the award, however, will be far from straightforward.
Yamal faces serious competition from Barcelona teammate Rodri, who has continued to build an impressive individual résumé, while Harry Kane is also among the leading contenders following another outstanding campaign.
For Yamal, though, simply being nominated for a third consecutive time before his 20th birthday is already historic.
The teenager has now reached a milestone that Messi himself never managed—and he still has years ahead of him to rewrite the Ballon d’Or record books.