France Football announced the official 30-man shortlist for the 2026 Men's Ballon d'Or and FC Barcelona stand right at the top of the world football scene.
The youngsters Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi have joined the blockbuster summer signing Rodri on the list, highlighting an extraordinary year for Catalonia's best.
The Barcelona nominees explained
- Lamine Yamal: Already on his third successive Ballon d'Or shortlist, the 19-year-old winger arrives one of the real contenders. A key component for the Span's World Cup win as well terrifying form under Hansi Flick domestically, he's taken his place among the best in the world.
- Pau Cubarsi: Making his debut on the main Ballon d'Or short list, the 19-year-old center-back becomes a first in this edition. After lifting the Best Young Player award at this summer's World Cup, Cubarsi's rise to a commanding defence star has been a dream transition from the La Masia graduate.
- Rodri: The 2024 Ballon d'Or winner is up for the award for the second time. His incorporation to Barcelona has changed Flick's midfield fundamentally, his golden ball-deserving world-class performances during Spain's internationals keep him among the best individual players on Earth.
A double act from La Masia
Both Yamal and Cubarsi have also been nominated for the Kopa Trophy with the world's best young player also contending. Two academy products, not only are both players making headlines through individual youth awards, but they have both landed in the world's top 30 to further prove La Masia is the home of the world's greatest talent.
Add us as a preferred source on Google