Ballon d’Or: Yamal edges Cubarsí to win Kopa Trophy for third consecutive year

Barcelona and Spain forward Lamine Yamal won the men’s Young Talent of the Year award for the third consecutive year. The 19-year-old thanked his club and international teammates, while saying he thought Barcelona teammate Pau Cubarsí deserved the trophy. The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony is being held at the London Palladium, marking the first time the event has taken place outside France. Harry Kane is tipped as the favourite, with Yamal and Kylian Mbappé among his main competitors.