Ballon d’Or 2026: Inside list of men’s Young Talent of the Year nominees
By Joel Masibo, September 8, 2026Six of Europe’s most promising young footballers have been nominated for the 2026 Men’s Young Talent of the Year Ballon d’Or Trophy, with a mix of emerging stars and established teenage internationals making the shortlist released on Tuesday, September 8, 2026.
The nominees are Kerim Alajbegović, Ayyoub Bouaddi, Pau Cubarsí, Yan Diomandé, Lennart Karl and Éli Junior Kroupi, with their performances during the 2025–26 season earning them recognition among the game’s brightest prospects.
Pau Cubarsí
Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsí is the most experienced nominee in terms of previous appearances on the shortlist. The Spain international receives his third nomination after finishing fifth in 2024.
Cubarsí, 19, played 62 matches for Barcelona during the 2025–26 campaign, scoring once and providing two assists. His season was also decorated with major silverware, as he helped his side win the World Cup, Spanish League and Spanish Super Cup.
Yan Diomandé
His main competition could come from players who enjoyed outstanding individual campaigns despite being at the beginning of their senior careers.
Ivorian forward Yan Diomandé stands out among the nominees after an impressive campaign with RB Leipzig. The 19-year-old scored 16 goals and supplied 10 assists in 50 appearances.
Diomandé’s performances have also earned him a major move, with the forward joining Real Madrid in August 2026. His combination of goals and creativity makes him one of the strongest candidates for the award despite this being his first nomination.
Éli Junior Kroupi
French forward Éli Junior Kroupi also recorded 16 goals during the season. The 20-year-old found the net 16 times in 40 appearances for Bournemouth, although he did not register an assist.
Kroupi is another first-time nominee and will be hoping his goal-scoring output can help him claim the prestigious individual prize.
Lennart Karl
German youngster Lennart Karl enjoyed a trophy-laden campaign with Bayern Munich. The 18-year-old forward made 44 appearances, scoring 12 goals and providing eight assists.
Karl’s season ended with three major honours: the German League, German Cup and German Super Cup. His efficiency in front of goal, combined with his creative contribution, has put him among the leading young players being considered for the award.
Kerim Alajbegović
Bosnia and Herzegovina forward Kerim Alajbegović is another debutant on the shortlist. The 18-year-old featured 54 times for RB Salzburg during the 2025–26 season, scoring 14 goals and supplying six assists.
His performances subsequently led to a move to Juventus in August 2026, giving him another major platform on which to develop his career.
Ayyoub Bouaddi
Moroccan midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi completes the six-player shortlist. Unlike the other nominees, Bouaddi operates primarily in a defensive midfield role.
The 18-year-old played 55 matches for Lille last season, scoring once and registering two assists. He was also shown 10 yellow cards and two red cards.
Bouaddi is the only nominee other than Cubarsí with previous Young Talent of the Year recognition. He finished ninth in the 2025 voting and will be looking to improve significantly on that position after securing a move to Manchester City in August 2026.
The six nominees arrive at the award from different backgrounds, but all have demonstrated their potential at the highest level.
With three of the nominees having completed major transfers in August 2026, the award also provides an early indication of the young players expected to shape European football in the years ahead.