After incomes a nomination for the 2026 Men’s Young Talent of the Year prize, FC Barcelona teenage duo Pau Cubarsi and Lamine Yamal have now been confirmed to be within the remaining 30 of the 2026 Ballon d’Or.
Certainly, the 19-year-old La Masia graduates discover themselves within the working for soccer’s high particular person prize, the place they’ve been joined by new Barcelona signing Rodri.
Third time fortunate for Lamine?
Lamine loved a superb 2025/26 marketing campaign at Barcelona, notching up 40+ purpose contributions for the membership (24 objectives and 18 assists from 45 video games), serving to them win La Liga and the Spanish Tremendous Cup.
The teenage winger then performed an influential function in Spain’s 2026 FIFA World Cup triumph in the course of the summer season.
That is Lamine’s third Ballon d’Or nomination, with the teenage sensation ending as a runner-up final yr behind Ousmane Dembele.
OUR 2026 MEN’S BALLON D’OR NOMINEES! #ballondor pic.twitter.com/GQFsH5u5lO
— Ballon d’Or (@ballondor) September 8, 2026
Cubarsi, too, was integral for Barcelona, taking on the mantle of the membership’s defensive chief regardless of being a teen, earlier than shining on the World Cup with Spain, the place he let in just one purpose all through the competitors.
Rodri to turn out to be a two-time winner?
As for Rodri, the midfielder performed a few of his greatest soccer on the 2026 World Cup with Spain, successful the Golden Ball for not solely his performances but additionally his captaincy, earlier than becoming a member of for Barcelona this summer season.
A former recipient of the award, having received it in 2024, Rodri is a high contender to win it this time round too.
In the meantime, membership legend, former captain, and eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi additionally finds himself within the working for the prize after main Inter Miami to success and following it up with a nice World Cup marketing campaign with Argentina.
Whereas Lamine, Cubarsi, and Rodri make the ultimate 30-man shortlist, there is no such thing as a place for membership captain Raphinha, who endured a tough 2025/26 season on account of accidents with each Barça and Brazil. Additionally lacking from the checklist is star midfielder Pedri.
The truth that Fermin Lopez, who loved an especially productive marketing campaign and received trophies, has been neglected additionally comes as a shock.
The competitors will likely be stiff although with a bunch of PSG superstars, together with the likes of Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Marquinhos, together with Bayern Munich ace Harry Kane, Actual Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe additionally within the race for the prize.
Curiously, Ferran Torres, who left Barcelona for PSG this summer season, can also be in competition, after having fun with a career-best season with the membership and afterward scoring the match-winning purpose for Spain within the World Cup remaining.
Michael Olise, who registered a whopping 31 assists final season, can also be among the many nominees, together with Manchester United playmaker Bruno Fernandes and Manchester Metropolis hitman Erling Haaland.
