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Barcelona have two representatives on the 2026 Men’s Young Talent of the Year shortlist.
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Lamine Yamal is nominated as he bids to win the award for a third consecutive year.
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Pau Cubarsí joins his Barcelona teammate after another impressive campaign.
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PSG midfielder Warren Zaïre-Emery and several emerging African talents are also among the 10 nominees.
September 08, (THEWILL) — Barcelona’s reputation for producing some of football’s brightest young stars has been recognised once again, with Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsí both named among the nominees for the 2026 Ballon d’Or Men’s Young Talent of the Year award.
The Barcelona academy graduates are part of a 10-player shortlist featuring some of the most promising young players in European football.
Yamal’s inclusion will attract particular attention as the Spanish star attempts to claim the award for a third consecutive year, but Cubarsí’s nomination gives Barcelona another reason to celebrate.
Barcelona Double Representation
The presence of two Barcelona players stands out on a shortlist filled with emerging talent from across Europe.
Yamal has already established himself as one of the biggest young names in world football, while Cubarsí has continued to develop into one of the most highly regarded young defenders.
Their inclusion highlights Barcelona’s continued ability to develop players capable of competing at the highest level while still in their teenage years.
For Yamal, however, the nomination represents another opportunity to extend his remarkable dominance of the young-player award.
Yamal Chases a Third Consecutive Crown
Yamal enters the race with history within reach.
Having already won the award in the previous two editions, the Barcelona forward is now looking to complete a hat-trick.
His rapid rise has seen him move from an exciting academy prospect to a player already carrying significant expectations at both club and international level.
Another victory would further underline his status as one of the defining young talents of his generation.
But this year’s shortlist features several players determined to prevent Yamal from making it three in a row.
Zaïre-Emery Among the Challengers
Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Warren Zaïre-Emery is one of the most familiar names challenging Yamal.
The French midfielder has earned his second nomination for the award and has already accumulated considerable experience despite his age.
His presence gives PSG representation on a shortlist that also features players connected with some of Europe’s biggest clubs, including Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Manchester City, Juventus and Barcelona.
The competition therefore extends beyond Spain, with several emerging stars hoping to make their own mark on the next generation of football.
African Talent Takes Centre Stage
The shortlist also provides a strong African presence.
Ayyoub Bouaddi represents Morocco, while Yan Diomande and Ibrahim Maza have been nominated for their performances while representing Ivory Coast and Algeria respectively.
Their inclusion reflects the growing number of young African talents making their way into prominent positions across European football.
Bouaddi’s nomination is particularly notable after his rise through French football and his decision to represent Morocco internationally, while Diomande and Maza have also emerged as players attracting attention at major European clubs.
The Complete 2026 Shortlist
The 10 nominees for the Men’s Young Talent of the Year award are:
- Kerim Alajbegovic — RB Salzburg / Juventus / Bosnia & Herzegovina
- Ayyoub Bouaddi — Lille / Manchester City / Morocco
- Pau Cubarsí — Barcelona / Spain
- Yan Diomande — RB Leipzig / Real Madrid / Ivory Coast
- Lennart Karl — Bayern Munich / Germany
- Eli Junior Kroupi — Bournemouth / France
- Johan Manzambi — Freiburg / Aston Villa / Switzerland
- Lamine Yamal — Barcelona / Spain
- Ibrahim Maza — Bayer Leverkusen / Algeria
- Warren Zaïre-Emery — Paris Saint-Germain / France
The shortlist offers a snapshot of football’s next generation, with players from different countries and backgrounds already making their presence felt at major European clubs.
Barcelona’s double representation is particularly significant, but the competition is unlikely to be straightforward.
Yamal has the advantage of experience after winning the award twice, while Cubarsí, Zaïre-Emery and the other nominees will be looking to turn their own breakthrough seasons into individual recognition.
With the 2026 Ballon d’Or awards approaching, the young talent category could provide another indication of the players who are set to shape the future of world football.
Olumide Atiba is a sports journalist with THEWILL, known for his keen news sense and compelling storytelling. He has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, well-structured reports that resonate with readers, with a strong focus on football coverage
