Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappe, and Harry Kane are as soon as once more competing for certainly one of Lionel Messi‘s favourite particular person awards, including one other fascinating chapter to the race for soccer’s high private honors. After a outstanding marketing campaign for each membership and nationwide staff, the Barcelona star returns to the highlight alongside a number of of the sport’s largest names, with supporters set to determine who deserves the distinguished recognition.
The race brings collectively elite performers from throughout Europe, however Yamal‘s presence has generated specific pleasure after he got here agonizingly near victory final 12 months. Having since added a World Cup title with Spain to his rising listing of achievements, the teenage sensation enters this version with even stronger momentum.
Yamal has been nominated for the 2026 Onze d’Or, the annual award introduced by French soccer journal Onze Mondial to the world’s finest participant. The teenager completed second within the 2025 version, dropping to Ousmane Dembele by a margin of simply 2.5% of the general public vote, a end result that additionally mirrored his runner-up end within the Ballon d’Or standings.
Not like many main particular person awards, the Onze d’Or locations the ultimate resolution completely within the palms of supporters. Followers vote immediately by means of the journal’s official web site, giving world recognition and fan engagement a major position in figuring out the winner.
The distinguished award and this 12 months’s contenders
The Onze d’Or has been awarded since 1976, making it certainly one of soccer’s longest-running particular person honors. Whereas journalists decide the Ballon d’Or winner, the Onze d’Or has historically relied on public voting, giving soccer supporters the ultimate say.
This 12 months’s shortlist options a number of the largest stars in world soccer. Alongside Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappe, and Harry Kane, the nominees embody Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Michael Olise, Bruno Fernandes, Joao Neves, William Saliba, Vitinha, and Declan Rice.
The energy of the sector displays one other extremely aggressive 12 months in world soccer, with gamers representing a few of Europe’s largest golf equipment whereas additionally starring for his or her respective nationwide groups all through the season.
Trophy intently related to Lionel Messi and Barcelona
Few gamers have left a larger mark on the Onze d’Or than Lionel Messi. The Argentine icon stays the competitors’s most profitable winner with 4 titles, cementing his place as one of many defining figures within the award’s historical past.
Barcelona has loved distinctive success within the competitors over the many years. Former Camp Nou legends together with Diego Maradona, Ronaldo Nazario, Thierry Henry, Ronaldinho, Hristo Stoichkov, Antoine Griezmann, and Ousmane Dembele have all lifted the trophy throughout their careers. That custom provides Yamal one other alternative to proceed Barcelona’s outstanding legacy in certainly one of soccer’s oldest fan-voted honors.
