Spain and Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal was the standout football figure at the 2026 Laureus World Sports Awards, held at the Palais de Cibeles in Madrid, where he was named World Young Sportsperson of the Year.
The award marks a historic milestone for the teenager, who becomes the youngest athlete to win two Laureus World Sports Awards. It follows his success in 2025, when he was recognised as Breakthrough of the Year, underlining his rapid rise and growing influence on the global sporting stage.
The 2026 ceremony introduced the World Young Sportsperson of the Year category for the first time, with Lamine Yamal emerging as its inaugural winner.
His achievement places him at the forefront of a new generation of athletes being recognized for their early impact at the highest level.
The event was hosted by Novak Djokovic and Eileen Gu, bringing together leading figures from across the sporting world to celebrate excellence over the past year.
While athletes from various disciplines were honoured, Yamal’s recognition highlighted football’s continued prominence on the global stage.
His latest accolade comes amid increasing attention on his development and performances, with the young forward widely regarded as one of the most promising talents in world football. Winning consecutive Laureus awards further reinforces his status as a rising star, capable of competing for top honours alongside established names.
Although football featured prominently at the ceremony, other sports dominated several major categories. Carlos Alcaraz was named World Sportsman of the Year following a successful 2025 season, while Aryna Sabalenka claimed the World Sportswoman of the Year award after maintaining the world number one ranking and securing major titles.
In team honours, Paris Saint-Germain were recognised as World Team of the Year, becoming the first French club to receive the award after winning their maiden UEFA Champions League title in 2025.
Other winners included Lando Norris, who was named Breakthrough of the Year, and Rory McIlroy, who received the Comeback of the Year award. Toni Kroos was honoured with the Sporting Inspiration Award, while gymnastics legend Nadia Comăneci received the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Additional recognition went to Gabriel Araujo, named Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability, and Chloe Kim, who won World Action Sportsperson of the Year. The Sport for Good Award was presented to Fútbol Más.
Despite the breadth of achievements across disciplines, Yamal’s success stood out as a defining moment of the evening. As the first recipient of a newly introduced category and the youngest double Laureus winner, his recognition signals both his individual progress and the emergence of a new era of young sporting talent.
