Lamine Yamal aspires this Monday, October 26, to become the youngest footballer in history to win the Ballon d'Or, a recognition that would crown his rise among the great figures of world football. The winger of FC Barcelona, who turned 19 last July, presents a candidacy supported by his individual figures, his prominence in the world champion Spanish national team, and the titles won during the 2025-2026 season.
The ceremony, which takes place in London, brings together the main candidates for the most prestigious individual award in football. Among Yamal's arguments are his 25 goals and 20 assists in 57 matches, in addition to his participation in the conquest of LaLiga, the Supercopa de España, and the 2026 World Cup, a combination of performance and collective successes that can be decisive in the voting.
A World Cup that strengthens his candidacy
The conquest of the 2026 World Cup constitutes one of the main sporting arguments of Lamine Yamal, who has managed to add to his trajectory the most important title in international football when he had just turned 19 years old.
The championship allows the Spanish footballer to present a candidacy that goes beyond his performances with Barcelona. Major international tournaments have special relevance in World Cup seasons, both for the dimension of the competition and for the exposure of players in decisive matches.
Yamal had already gained international prominence during the Euro 2024, when Spain won the title and the winger became one of the big names of the tournament. Two years later, his participation in a new victory for the national team reinforces a trajectory that combines precocity and sporting successes.
The numbers of Lamine Yamal with Barcelona
The performance of the footballer during the 2025-2026 season also supports his aspirations. His 25 goals and 20 assists in 57 matches reflect an offensive contribution that combines goal-scoring ability and participation in creating opportunities for his teammates.
His importance in Barcelona, however, is not limited to statistics. Yamal has become one of the main offensive resources of the team due to his ability to break through in one-on-one situations, attract defenders, and create space near the opponent's area.
The extreme has taken on responsibilities in a team accustomed to competing for national and European titles, a demand that takes on special relevance due to his age. His participation in the conquest of LaLiga and the Supercopa de España completes a sports balance in which the collective results accompany his individual performance.
The record of Ronaldo Nazário that he can surpass
If Lamine Yamal receives the Ballon d'Or, he will establish a new record for precocity in the men's category. Ronaldo Nazário has held the mark since 1997, when he won the award at 21 years old, after his time at Barcelona and his incorporation to Inter Milan.
The Brazilian forward was 21 years and three months old when he received that recognition, while Yamal is currently 19 years and three months old. The difference would allow the Spaniard to lower a mark that has been in effect for almost three decades by approximately two years.
The precedent of Ronaldo reflects the exceptional nature of winning the Ballon d'Or at such a young age. Other footballers who ended up dominating the award, such as Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, needed more time to conquer their first trophy.
Messi achieved it for the first time in 2009, at 22 years old, while Cristiano Ronaldo debuted his trophy cabinet in 2008, when he was 23. A victory for Yamal would place him ahead of both in the historical ranking of youngest winners.
Mbappé, Kane, and Rodri among his competitors
Lamine Yamal's candidacy will have to compete with those of other footballers who also present important sports arguments. Among them are Kylian Mbappé, Harry Kane, and Rodri, whose merits combine individual statistics, titles, and prominence in their respective teams.
Mbappé stands out for his goal-scoring ability and his weight in Real Madrid, while Kane presents a candidacy supported by his offensive performance and the successes achieved with Bayern Munich. Rodri, for his part, represents a different profile, in which the control of the game, the balance of the midfield, and his contribution to collective results take on special importance.
The Ballon d'Or is not decided exclusively by the number of goals or the titles won. The official criteria include individual performances, the decisive character of the player, collective results, and fair play, so the different candidacies can receive different evaluations from the journalists responsible for voting.
When is the Ballon d'Or 2026 awarded
The Ballon d'Or 2026 ceremony takes place this Monday, October 26, in London, after the evaluation period has concluded, which runs from August 3, 2025, to July 19, 2026.
The voting is already closed, so performances after that date do not affect the selection. The result will determine if Lamine Yamal adds the main individual award in football to his achievements and becomes, at 19 years old, the youngest male winner in history.