Karl and Maza earn nominations for 2026 Ballon d’Or young talent award

Bayern Munich midfielder Lennart Karl and Bayer Leverkusen forward Ibrahim Maza have been named among the 10 candidates for the 2026 Ballon d’Or Men’s Young Talent of the Year award. The Bundesliga duo join an international field of contenders for the annual recognition. Competition for the honor includes Barcelona players Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsí, as well as Real Madrid winger Yan Diomandé. Other nominees include Kerim Alajbegović of Juventus, Manchester City’s Ayyoub Bouaddi, Éli Junior Kroupi of Bournemouth, Aston Villa’s Johan Manzambi, and Paris Saint-Germain’s Warren Zaïre-Emery. The list highlights emerging talent across European leagues as the voting process moves forward.

• 12:45 PMYahoo Sports — Bayern's Karl and Leverkusen's Maza to battle Barcelona star Yamal and others for Young Talent of the Year award