Lamine has time: Messi, Ronaldo and CR7 won their first Ballon d'Or in their twenties

Yamal finished third in the 2026 Ballon d'Or at 19 years old, younger than Ronaldo Nazário (21) and Michael Owen (22) were when they won it.

Lamine Yamal made the Ballon d'Or podium for the third consecutive year in 2024, finishing third at just 19 years, 3 months and 13 days old. While he did not win the award, the Barcelona forward has demonstrated the talent and time needed to eventually claim football's most prestigious individual honour.

Yamal's youth at the ceremony prompted Thierry Henry to humorously reference the record for youngest winner, held by Ronaldo Nazário, who was 21 years, 3 months and 5 days when he won in 1997. Michael Owen came second, winning at 22 years and 4 days while at Liverpool. Messi, who would go on to win eight Ballon d'Ors, was 22 years, 5 months and 12 days when he claimed his first on 6 December 2009.

Other notable winners include Cristiano Ronaldo (23 years, 9 months and 29 days in 2008), George Best (22 years, 7 months and 2 days in 1968), and Johan Cruyff (24 years, 8 months and 3 days in 1971). Harry Kane, by contrast, won at 33 years, 2 months and 28 days—a gap of nearly 14 years from Yamal's current age.