Eli Junior Kroupi Shortlisted for Men's Young Talent of the Year

Eli Junior Kroupi has been shortlisted for the Men's Young Talent of the Year award ahead of the 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony, capping a breakout year for the Bournemouth forward.

The 20-year-old is one of three Premier League names in a 10-player list, joining Manchester City's Ayyoub Bouaddi and Aston Villa's Johan Manzambi in the running for the prestigious youth honour.

Kroupi only made his Bournemouth debut in August 2025. He wasted no time. By the end of the 2025-26 season he had racked up 35 appearances and 13 goals in all competitions, quickly becoming one of the most dangerous young forwards in England.

His impact was historic as well as eye-catching. He finished the campaign with more goals than any other teenager in their debut Premier League season, a marker that pushed him firmly into the spotlight of voters and rivals alike.

This season has stalled before it started. A foot injury in pre-season led to surgery, keeping him out of Bournemouth’s early fixtures. The club expect him back in October or November, a return that could arrive just as the awards noise reaches its peak.

The Men's Young Talent of the Year prize will be among the honours handed out at the 70th Ballon d'Or ceremony in London on Monday, 26 October — a stage perfectly set for a young striker already used to accelerating timelines.