VICKY LóPEZ DEDICATES BALLON D’OR YOUNG PLAYER AWARD TO LATE NIGERIAN MOTHER

Barcelona forward Vicky López has honoured her late Nigerian mother, Joy Felix, after winning the Women’s Young Player of the Year award at the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony on Monday.

The 20-year-old Spain international dedicated the achievement to her mother, who died when López was 11. In an emotional tribute, she said her mother’s influence continues to guide her and credited her with teaching her to persevere.

Born in 2006 in Vallecas, Madrid, to a Spanish father and Nigerian mother, López began playing football at four alongside her older brother, Jesus.

Those early games on the streets helped shape her creative style, with Neymar’s dribbling among her childhood inspirations.

The recognition follows a successful 2025–26 season in which Barcelona won Liga F, the Copa de la Reina, the Spanish Super Cup and the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

It is López’s second consecutive Women’s Young Player of the Year award, following her victory in the inaugural edition in 2025.

For the young Barcelona star, the occasion was also an opportunity to remember the mother whose encouragement helped shape her journey.