English Premier League
Lamine Yamal takes aim at Messi’s favourite award in fresh Dembele rivalry
Lamine Yamal has been nominated for the Onze d’Or for a second successive year, with the Barcelona forward aiming to go one better after finishing runner-up to Ousmane Dembele in 2025.
The award, presented by French magazine Onze Mondial, is decided by a public vote for the world’s best player. Yamal came within a single step of victory last year, losing to the eventual Ballon d’Or winner by just 2.5% of the vote and finishing second in both individual awards.
The 19-year-old now returns to the contest after an exceptional season in which he won the World Cup. That achievement has strengthened his position as one of the leading contenders and leaves him closer than ever to ending his run of second-place finishes.
Unlike the Ballon d’Or, which is determined by journalists, the Onze d’Or is decided through an open fan poll on the French magazine’s website. Yamal’s considerable popularity among Barcelona supporters and admirers of attacking football could give him a significant advantage.
Fans can vote for their preferred player through the Onze Mondial website.
The magazine has announced an 11-player shortlist for the 2026 award. Yamal is joined by reigning champion Dembele, who won the 2025 prize, as well as a collection of leading players from across Europe.
The nominees are Georgia and Paris St-Germain forward Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, France and Bayern Munich attacker Michael Olise, England captain and striker Harry Kane, Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes, Paris St-Germain midfielder Joao Neves, Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe, Arsenal defender William Saliba, Paris St-Germain midfielder Vitinha and Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice.
The winner will be determined solely by supporters voting on Onze Mondial’s website.
A prize with a strong Barcelona connection
The Onze d’Or was first awarded in 1976, when Netherlands international Rob Rensenbrink became its inaugural winner. Its history has since become closely linked with Barcelona.
Lionel Messi is the award’s most successful player, having won it four times. He is followed by three former Barcelona greats who claimed the honour twice each: Diego Maradona, Thierry Henry and Ronaldo Nazario.
Ronaldinho, Hristo Stoichkov, Antoine Griezmann and Dembele have each won the prize once.
Barcelona’s influence also extends to the coaching award, where six candidates are competing in 2026. Two of those named are Luis Enrique and Unai Emery, both of whom have a history with the Catalan club.
The club has also enjoyed a distinguished record in the coaching category. Pep Guardiola has won the award three times, while Johan Cruyff claimed it twice and Frank Rijkaard won it once.
Barcelona players are represented in another Onze Mondial vote to select the ideal team of 2026. Yamal is nominated alongside team-mates Pau Cubarsi and Pedri.
They continue a Barcelona tradition in the selection, following previous nominations for Messi, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Jordi Alba, Ronald Araujo and Samuel Umtiti.
