Ferran Torres is closing in on a Madrid-based award as Lamine Yamal sits out through injury. The Valencia-born forward has emerged as a serious contender for the prestigious prize, with the absence of his Barcelona teammate opening the door for a new name to take the spotlight.
The award, which recognises the best player in the Madrid region across the 2025-2026 season, has traditionally been dominated by stars from Real Madrid and Atlético. However, Torres’s consistent performances for Barcelona have placed him firmly in the running, despite playing his club football outside the capital.
Yamal, widely considered the favourite for the accolade earlier in the campaign, has been sidelined with a muscle problem since mid-February 2026. His absence from the pitch has allowed Torres to close the gap in the voting, with several ballots still to be cast before the deadline on 15 March 2026.
The award committee confirmed on Monday that Torres had received nominations from 12 of the 20 voting members, putting him ahead of Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham and Atlético’s Antoine Griezmann. “Ferran has shown remarkable consistency this season,” a committee spokesperson stated. “His goal tally and overall contribution have not gone unnoticed.”
Torres has scored 18 goals in all competitions for Barcelona this term, including a hat-trick against Real Betis in January 2026 and decisive strikes in both Clásico meetings. His form has been particularly impressive since the turn of the year, with seven goals in his last nine appearances.
The 26-year-old forward played the full 90 minutes in Barcelona’s 3-1 victory over Rayo Vallecano on Saturday, a match watched closely by award voters. His performance included an assist and a goal, further strengthening his case for the honour.
Yamal, who has been ruled out for at least another three weeks with a hamstring injury, is expected to miss the remainder of the voting period. The 18-year-old winger had been the frontrunner after a stunning first half of the season, but his absence has reshaped the race entirely.
The winner will be announced at a ceremony in Madrid on 22 March 2026. If Torres claims the prize, he will become the first Barcelona player to win the award since Lionel Messi in 2019.
