The 30-player shortlist for the 2026 Ballon d'Or has been announced gradually, with 19-year-old Barcelona Spanish winger Lamine Yamal included.

The performance evaluation period for the 2026 Ballon d'Or runs from August 3, 2025, to July 19, 2026, with the deadline being the final of the FIFA World Cup hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Last season, Yamal made 45 appearances for Barcelona, contributing 24 goals and 18 assists. He won the La Liga title and the Spanish Super Cup, was named La Liga MVP, and was selected for the La Liga Best XI.
For the Spain national team, Yamal made 12 appearances and recorded 1 goal and 3 assists. At the World Cup, Yamal scored 1 goal and, as the starting right winger, helped Spain win the second World Cup trophy in their history.