Lamine Yamal has won the AFE award for La Liga’s best player for a second consecutive season after being voted No.1 by fellow professionals.
Lamine Yamal makes history with second straight AFE La Liga player award
Lamine Yamal has been named La Liga’s best player for the 2025/26 season by the Spanish Footballers’ Association.
The Barcelona star received the award at the Premios AFE ceremony after being voted No.1 by fellow professional players.
It is his second consecutive victory, making him the first La Liga player to retain the AFE Best Player award.
Yamal voted the best by fellow players
The AFE award carries special significance because it is decided by professional footballers rather than journalists or an independent panel.
Yamal was therefore recognised by the players who faced him throughout the season.
The 19-year-old said there is little better than receiving an award voted for by fellow professionals.
He also insisted that, despite his success, he still has plenty of areas in which he can improve.
A remarkable season for Barcelona’s No.10
Yamal played a central role as Barcelona defended their La Liga title.
The winger finished the league campaign with 16 goals and 12 assists, becoming one of the division’s most decisive attacking players.
Barcelona collected 94 points, with Yamal’s creativity, dribbling and goals making him one of the defining figures of the team.
Yamal wins both major La Liga awards
The AFE prize is Yamal’s second major individual honour for the 2025/26 season.
He had already been named La Liga EA Sports Player of the Season.
While that award comes from the competition itself, the AFE honour represents recognition from fellow professionals.
Winning both awards underlines the scale of Yamal’s dominance during the campaign.
World Cup success and Champions League ambition
Yamal’s achievements have extended beyond club football.
He was also part of Spain’s 2026 World Cup-winning squad, adding international success to his outstanding season.
After collecting the AFE award, he identified the Champions League as his next major target.
That ambition will increase expectations surrounding Barcelona’s No.10 during the new campaign.
Another record-breaking milestone
The award came shortly after Yamal scored twice in Barcelona’s 5-2 victory over Rayo Vallecano.
His first goal took him to 50 senior goals for the club at 19 years and 49 days old. He then added another to reach 51.
Yamal became the youngest player to score 50 club goals while competing in Europe’s top five leagues.
He reached the milestone earlier than Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland, and younger than Lionel Messi did for Barcelona.
Yamal’s rise continues
Yamal is no longer simply regarded as the best young player in football.
His fellow professionals have voted him La Liga’s best player in consecutive seasons, placing him ahead of established global stars.
With another league title, elite attacking numbers, World Cup success and a historic AFE award, his rise continues at remarkable speed.
Lamine Yamal has become the first player to retain the AFE Best Player award, adding another historic achievement to a career that is still only beginning.
