Lamine Yamal has become an integral part of Spain’s 2026 World Cup challenge, becoming the key to Barcelona’s La Liga defense.
Published June 5, 2026
Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal has won La Liga’s Player of the Year award.
The 18-year-old helped Barça retain their domestic title, becoming the first player to win the league’s Player of the Month award three times in one season, and becoming the club’s top scorer in La Liga with 16 goals and 11 assists.
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Barcelona’s Hansi Flick was named Coach of the Year on Thursday.
Barça said in a statement about Yamal: “He is a headache for opposing defenses and will have to make a real effort to stop the Blaugrana’s attacking threats.
“Beyond the intangibles, the young Catalan has scored 16 goals and provided 11 assists, and no other player in La Liga has provided as many passes that led to goals.”
Yamal has been sidelined multiple times this season with a groin problem, but is expected to be fit to represent Spain at the World Cup, which starts next week in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
He missed Barça’s final six games of the season due to a hamstring injury.
Yamal exploded onto the scene at the age of 16 and became an integral part of Spain’s record fourth European Championship win in 2024.
