Barcelona superstar Lamine Yamal achieves unthinkable feat after 2026 Ballon d’Or nomination | OneFootball

The Ballon d’Or nominations are out and just like last time, the list is dominated by Barcelona players, including the likes of Rodri, Pau Cubarsi and Lamine Yamal.

There were some notable exclusions including Raphinha, Fermin Lopez and Pedri. But Barcelona will head into the event later this year as the club likely to represent the next winner.

Indeed, Yamal could become third-time lucky, as the young forward is tipped to win this year’s Ballon d’Or ahead of both Rodri and Harry Kane. And thanks to his nomination this year, the player has already achieved a feat that even Lionel Messi couldn’t reach.

A record-breaking nomination

With his nomination for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, Lamine has become the first player in history to be nominated three times for the award before the age of 20.

Yamal is one of the favourites to win the Ballon d’Or. (Photo by Francisco Macia/Getty Images)

It is a staggering achievement that underlines just how far ahead of his years the teenager is.

Not even Messi, widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, managed such a feat at that stage of his career.

Lamine’s rise has been nothing short of meteoric. He finished eighth in the 2024 Ballon d’Or rankings before climbing to second in 2025, and now heads into the 2026 edition as one of the leading contenders to finally claim the prize.

Can Lamine finally win it?

The big question now is whether this will be the year Lamine goes one better and lifts the coveted trophy.

Yamal will face competition from Rodri and Kane. (Photo by Daniela Porcelli/Getty Images)

Having finished runner-up last year, the Barcelona star will feel he has a genuine chance, particularly given his blistering start to the current campaign.

He has already been the standout creative force in LaLiga, topping the charts for chances created across the opening gameweeks.

However, the competition will be fierce. Fellow Barcelona new boy Rodri, the reigning World Cup Golden Ball winner, is also in contention, as is Harry Kane after another prolific season.