By: Kwame Bediako
For the second consecutive year, Lamine Yamal has claimed the prestigious Kopa Trophy, awarded to the best footballer under 21 worldwide. The young Barcelona star received the accolade at the 69th Ballon d’Or ceremony held at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, making history as the first player ever to win the prize twice.
Since its inception by France Football magazine in 2018, the award had always gone to a new recipient each year until Yamal’s back-to-back victory. Upon receiving the trophy, Yamal expressed his gratitude to France Football and credited his success to FC Barcelona and the Spanish national team.
He also gave special mentions to fellow nominees Pau Cubarsí and Raphinha, who were present at the event in Paris, and thanked his family for their support. Yamal concluded his speech with a commitment to continue working hard and achieving even more in the future.
At only 18 years old, having turned 18 just last July, Yamal has already established himself as one of football’s brightest young talents. Wearing Barça’s iconic number 10, he has become known for breaking records related to precocity and continues to impress fans and experts with his skill and maturity on the global football stage. His remarkable rise points to a promising career ahead.
Yamal’s consecutive wins also underline FC Barcelona’s dominance over the Kopa Trophy. This year marks only the seventh edition of the award, and remarkably, blaugrana players have secured it four times, more than half of all recipients. Previous winners from the club include Pedri in 2021 and Gavi in 2022, with Yamal winning in 2024, highlighting the club’s excellence in nurturing young talent.
