Just when you think Lamine Yamal has run out of records to break, he goes and changes the game again. Last night in Madrid, the Palacio de Cibeles played host to the “Oscars of Sports,” and it was the 18-year-old Barcelona sensation who walked away as the man of the hour.
Lamine Yamal has officially been crowned the Laureus World Young Sportsperson of the Year for 2026, marking a historic milestone in one of the most prestigious ceremonies in global sports.
A Historic Double
This isn’t Lamine’s first time on the Laureus stage. In 2025, he picked up the “Breakthrough of the Year” award after his explosive debut season. By winning the newly minted “Young Sportsperson” category this year, he becomes the youngest athlete ever to win two Laureus awards. To do it at just 18 is frankly ridiculous. While most kids his age are worried about exams, Yamal is busy collecting trophies that usually take a lifetime to earn.
Why He Won: A Season for the Ages
The Laureus jury didn’t have a hard decision to make. Yamal’s 2025/26 campaign has been nothing short of legendary:
• The Treble: He was the creative heartbeat of the Barcelona side that secured the domestic treble (La Liga, Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup).
• Statistical Beast: He’s already racked up 23 goals and 18 assists across all competitions this term.
• UCL Record-Breaker: He became the youngest player in history to reach 10 goal contributions in the Champions League, snatching the record from Erling Haaland.
• Ballon d’Or Recognition: Finishing as the runner-up in the 2025 Ballon d’Or (behind Ousmane Dembele) at 18 was the ultimate signal that he’s no longer just a “prospect”—he’s a superstar.
The Impact Beyond the Pitch
What makes Yamal special isn’t just the nutmegs or the clinical finishing; it’s the maturity. He’s carrying the weight of a club like Barcelona and a national team like Spain on his shoulders, and he’s doing it with a smile. The Laureus jury highlighted his “impact on the sport in general,” noting how he has become a global icon for the next generation of athletes.
As he held the silver trophy aloft in Madrid, it felt like a passing of the torch. With the way he’s playing, this probably won’t be the last time we see him at a Laureus gala.
