Ballon d’Or: Spanish Football Sensation Lamine Yamal Wins Kopa Trophy

Lamine Yamal, the talented winger from Barcelona and the Spanish national team, has won the prestigious Kopa Trophy, awarded to the best player under 21 during the Ballon d’Or ceremony.

“It’s a pride to receive this trophy. I dedicate this prize to my mother, my grandmother, to the team, the coaches. It’s for those who supported me,” Yamal said after receiving the award.

Born on 13 July 2007, Yamal has quickly risen to prominence for his outstanding skills, including pace, dribbling, passing, and crossing ability. Known for his long-range shots and creative playmaking, the left-footed forward is capable of playing across multiple attacking positions, including as a winger, attacking midfielder, or centre-forward. Most often, Yamal features on the right flank, where he excels at curling the ball towards goal with precision.

Yamal, who is already holds several records including the youngest ever player to be featured in the top 10 Ballon d’Or list, was instrumental in Spain’s victory at Euro 2024, where he earned widespread acclaim. He scored a crucial goal against France in the semi-finals and provided four assists across matches against top teams, including Croatia, Germany, and England. His technical brilliance and chance-creation throughout the tournament cemented his reputation as one of football’s brightest young talents.

Often compared to Barcelona legend Lionel Messi for his style and versatility, Yamal also credits Neymar as a major influence on his development. His success reflects the ongoing legacy of La Masia, Barcelona’s renowned youth academy.

The Kopa Trophy, named after French football great Raymond Kopa, is presented annually by *France Football* to the best young player under 21. Previous winners include England’s Jude Bellingham and Real Madrid’s Eduardo Camavinga, both of whom have since established themselves as leading figures in the football world.

Here is the 2024 Kopa Trophy full ranking!

1️⃣ Yamal Lamine
2️⃣ Güler Arda
3️⃣ Mainoo Kobbie
4️⃣ Savinho
5️⃣ Cubarsí Pau#TrophéeKopa #ballondor pic.twitter.com/DF74Pem57m

— Ballon d’Or (@ballondor) October 28, 2024