Ballon d’Or 2026: ‘Only one qualified’ – Lamine Yamal names player to win special award

Barcelona forward, Lamine Yamal, has named his Barcelona teammate, Pau Cubarsi, arsenic the lone subordinate good positioned to triumph the 2026 Ballon d’Or Men’s Young Talent of the Year award. 

Both Spain and Barcelona players person been included successful the 10-man shortlist for this prestigious accolade, besides referred to arsenic the Kopa Trophy.

As the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremonial approaches, scheduled for October 26, the event’s organiser, France Football, commenced the announcement of nominees for assorted grant categories connected Monday, September 8.

The Kopa Trophy, awarded to the top-performing subordinate nether the property of 21, features Yamal and Cubarsi among the nominees for 2026. 

Other contenders see Morocco’s Ayyoub Bouaddi, Yan Diomandé, Lennart Karl, Warren Zaïre-Emery, Ibrahim Maza, Johan Manzambi, Éli Junior Kroupi, and Kerim Alajbegović.

In a station connected Instagram, Yamal showed enactment for his nine and state teammate Cubarsi, to triumph the Kopa Trophy. 

He wrote, “@paucubrasi he’s the lone winner!!”

Undoubtedly, Cubarsi stan...