As in 2024 and 2025, Yamal won the Kopa Trophy, presented as part of the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony and awarded to the best player under the age of 21.
Also nominated in the category, Atlas Lion Ayyoub Bouaddi finished sixth.
With Yamal also in contention for the Ballon d’Or itself, the Spanish forward made an ideal start to the evening in London.
Crowned world champion with Spain, he also won the Spanish Super Cup and La Liga with Barcelona, scoring 20 goals and providing as many assists in 57 appearances.
L'attaquant du FC Barcelone Lamine Yamal pose à son arrivée avant la cérémonie de remise du Ballon d'Or 2025 au Théâtre du Châtelet à Paris le 22 septembre 2025.. AFP
Yamal finished ahead of his Barcelona teammate Pau Cubarsí, as well as Ivorian Yan Diomandé, who impressed at RB Leipzig before joining Real Madrid.
