Lily Yohannes Nominated for Women’s Kopa Trophy at 2026 Ballon d’Or

Lily Yohannes has earned another major individual recognition after a breakthrough first season with OL Lyonnes.

The 19-year-old American midfielder was named one of five nominees for the Women’s Young Talent of the Year award at the 2026 Ballon d’Or, also known as the Women’s Kopa Trophy. 

Yohannes is joined on the shortlist by Chelsea defender Veerle Buurman, Barcelona forwards Vicky López and Clara Serrajordi, and Swedish forward Felicia Schröder.

The nomination adds another milestone to what was an outstanding first season in France for Yohannes, who quickly established herself as an important player for one of the biggest clubs in women’s football.

Yohannes joined Lyon from Ajax in the summer of 2025 after emerging as one of the most promising young midfielders in European football.

Her first campaign in France exceeded expectations.

According to the official Ballon d’Or website, Yohannes finished the 2025-26 season with 48 appearances, six goals and 10 assists across competitions. She also helped Lyon win the French league, Coupe de France and League Cup, while contributing to the United States’ SheBelieves Cup triumph. 

The move to Lyon represented another significant step in a career that had already developed at an unusual pace.

After breaking through at Ajax as a teenager, Yohannes moved to France and immediately found herself competing alongside some of the most accomplished players in the women’s game.

Rather than simply being viewed as a prospect, she became an important contributor for Lyon throughout the season.

Yohannes’ trajectory has been remarkably fast.

She made her Champions League debut for Ajax at just 16 years old and quickly became one of the most closely followed American prospects playing in Europe.

Her move to Lyon represented a major test, but her performances during the 2025-26 season showed that she could make an impact at one of the biggest clubs in women’s football.

Now, she has been recognized alongside some of the world’s top young talents.

The Women’s Kopa Trophy was introduced in 2025, with Barcelona’s Vicky López winning the inaugural award. López returns to the shortlist this year, meaning Yohannes will compete against the reigning winner as well as four other standout young players. 

At just 19, Yohannes has already gone from an emerging Ajax talent to a key contributor for Lyon, a USWNT player and a Ballon d’Or young-talent nominee.

The Women’s Kopa Trophy nomination is therefore another indication of just how quickly her career is progressing — and how highly the football world now regards her potential.