Enzo Fernandez is the holder of the gong after helping Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar four years ago, but who will win Young Player of the Tour...
Enzo Fernandez is the holder of the Young Player of the Tournament gong after helping Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar four years ago, but who will win the award in 2026?
For this summer’s finals, the cut-off for eligibility is players born on or after 1 January, 2005, meaning the field is largely restricted to the world’s best under-21 starlets.
You can see the Golden Ball odds here.
10) Endrick (Brazil)
The 19-year-old moved to Lyon on loan in January after struggling for game time at Real Madrid and got eight goals and eight assists to force his way back into the Brazil squad before confirming his place at the World Cup with two assists off the bench against Croatia in March. But he didn’t get off the bench for Brazil’s opening game v Morocco and did little when he was introduced v Haiti.
9) Antonio Nusa (Norway)
Eight goals and nine assists in 25 appearances for his country is a very good return for the RB Leipzig winger, who has quite frequently drawn focus away from more celebrated compatriots Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard in starring for Norway.
7=) Pau Cubarsi (Spain)
128 appearances for Barcelona as a centre-back at the age of 19 is ridiculous and after Dean Huijsen was snubbed by Luis de la Fuente, Cubarsi looks set to start alongside Aymeric Laporte at the heart of the Spain defence this summer. Still, if Spain are to win the World Cup, we suspect the young player gong will be going to one of his rather more exalted teammates.
7=) Nico Paz (Argentina)
A brilliant young player but it seems unlikely that he will force his way into an Argentina midfield that won the World Cup four years ago. His time is probably not now.
6) Nico O’Reilly (England)
An unusually high position in the running for a left-back to be, but then O’Reilly isn’t really a left-back. The 21-year-old was frequently Manchester City’s greatest attacking threat this season.
5) Johan Manzambi (Switzerland)
The Freiburg midfielder announced himself to the world with a brace v Bosnia.
4) Desire Doue (France)
Dropping down the betting after he started v Senegal but then saw Bradley Barcola come off the bench to score v Senegal. You can’t really win this award if you’re not starting for your country and Doue is not now starting for his country.
3) Yan Diomande (Ivory Coast)
Out of the blocks with an excellent performance against Ecuador amid persistent talk of a £100m-plus transfer this summer.
2) Ayyoub Bouaddi (Morocco)
Looked very, very good in his World Cup opener v Brazil; what an addition he could be for Arsenal this summer.
1) Lamine Yamal (Spain)
Obviously. And now very obviously.
