Key takeaways
- Chelsea: Two players among the 25 finalists.
- Yamal: Previous winners cannot win again.
- Decision: November announcement.
Estêvão and Jorrel Hato have reached the final shortlist for the 2026 Golden Boy award, giving Chelsea two contenders.
The organisers’ official announcement confirms their inclusion among Europe’s leading young players.
Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly, Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsí and Bayern Munich’s Lennart Karl also feature.
Why Lamine Yamal is excluded
Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal is absent because the rules prevent previous winners from claiming the award again.
An international panel of 50 journalists will select the winner, with the announcement scheduled for November.
Estêvão and Hato earn recognition
Estêvão’s nomination follows a productive finish to his international window. He scored and supplied an assist in Brazil’s 4-0 victory over India on Saturday.
The winger now returns to Chelsea with those contributions behind him as he seeks more opportunities under Xabi Alonso.
Hato provides a different profile among Chelsea’s nominees. The Dutch defender can operate at centre-back or on the left, with his versatility offering Alonso options alongside Pep Chavarria.
Both remain in contention for the individual honour, although nomination alone does not establish either as the favourite.
