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Barcelona have two players among the five nominees for the 2026 Ballon d’Or Women’s Young Talent of the Year award.
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Vicky López and Clara Serrano represent the Spanish giants on the shortlist.
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Chelsea, Real Madrid, BK Häcken and Lyon make up the rest of the shortlist.
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Lily Yohannes, Veerle Buurman and Felicia Schröder complete a shortlist highlighting the next generation of women’s football stars.
September 08, (THEWILL) — Barcelona’s reputation for producing elite young footballers has received another boost, with two of their players included among the five nominees for the 2026 Ballon d’Or Women’s Young Talent of the Year award.
Vicky López and Clara Serrano have both been recognised after their performances and development, giving Barcelona the strongest representation on a shortlist designed to celebrate the emerging stars of women’s football.
The pair are joined by Chelsea’s Veerle Buurman, Felicia Schröder of Real Madrid and BK Häcken, and Lyon’s Lily Yohannes.
Barcelona Double Representation Stands Out
Having two nominees from the same club immediately makes Barcelona the standout team on the shortlist.
López has already established herself as one of the most exciting young players in Spanish women’s football, having risen through the ranks at Barcelona and earned recognition at international level with Spain.
Serrano’s inclusion further underlines the depth of young talent within the Barcelona setup.
Their nominations highlight the club’s continued ability to develop players capable of competing at the highest level, while also providing a glimpse into the next generation expected to shape women’s football.
Chelsea and Real Madrid Also Represented
Chelsea’s Veerle Buurman is the lone nominee from the English club scene.
The Dutch youngster has earned recognition for her development and performances, adding another name from Chelsea’s increasingly talent-rich women’s squad to the Ballon d’Or conversation.
Felicia Schröder provides an interesting dual-club connection, having represented BK Häcken and Real Madrid.
The Sweden international’s nomination reflects the impact she has made during her development and places her among some of the most highly regarded young players in the women’s game.
Lily Yohannes Completes Five-Player Shortlist
Lyon’s Lily Yohannes completes the nominations.
The United States international has emerged as one of the most promising young talents in women’s football, combining technical ability with the experience of competing at a major European club.
Her inclusion also adds an international dimension to the shortlist, with the five nominees representing some of the most prominent clubs and footballing nations in the women’s game.
The Next Generation Takes Centre Stage
The Women’s Young Talent of the Year award provides an opportunity to recognise players before they become established superstars, and this year’s shortlist reflects the growing depth of young talent across women’s football.
Barcelona’s double representation is particularly significant.
With López and Serrano both included, the Spanish giants have more nominees than any other club, reinforcing their reputation as one of the leading development environments in the women’s game.
2026 Ballon d’Or Women’s Young Talent of the Year Nominees
- Veerle Buurman — Chelsea / Netherlands
- Vicky López — Barcelona / Spain
- Felicia Schröder — Real Madrid / BK Häcken / Sweden
- Clara Serrano — Barcelona / Spain
- Lily Yohannes — Lyon / USA
With Barcelona leading the way with two nominees, the focus now turns to which of the five emerging stars will claim the award and take another step towards becoming one of the defining players of the next generation.
The winner will be announced at the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony in London on October 26.
Nominated for the 2026 Women’s Young Talent of the Year ⬇️
🇳🇱 Veerle Buurman
🇪🇸 Vicky López
🇸🇪 Felicia Schröder
🇪🇸 Clara Serrajordi
🇺🇸 Lily Yohannes pic.twitter.com/pOYcX4fbck— Ballon d’Or (@ballondor) September 8, 2026
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
