The list of nominees for the Kopa Trophy award has been released, with Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal and Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo named on the shortlist.
The Kopa Trophy – which has previously been given to talent such as Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham – will soon be awarded to a youngster who impressed during the 2023/24 campaign.
The award voted for by previous Ballon d’Or winners, and is given to the best-performing under-21 player in the world. While the winner won’t be revealed until the ceremony in Paris on 28 October, the list of players in contention for the award has now been released.
Manchester United duo Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho have both received a nod after impressing in the Premier League. While the Red Devils faced criticism for much of the season, Mainoo and Garnacho has shone, with the former even receiving a call up to Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad.
Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal – who was crowned European champion after Spain defeated England in the Euro 2024 final – has also earned a place on the list. The 17-year-old made headlines when he became the youngest ever player to score in the European Championships, just days before his 17th birthday.
Real Madrid’s Arda Guler, Barcelona’s Pau Cubarsi, Bayern Munich’s Mathys Tel, Man City’s Savinho, PSG’s Joao Neves and Warren Zaire-Emery, and RB Salzburg’s Karim Konate have also been nominated.
The Kopa Trophy will be awarded to the best young footballer on 28 October at an award ceremony at Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France.
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