Lamine Yamal wins third Kopa Trophy at Ballon d'Or gala

Under bright lights and a standing ovation, the nineteen‑year‑old Lamine Yamal steps onto the stage, where he receives the Kopa Trophy during the Ballon d'Or gala.

Third consecutive Kopa Trophy

Yamal wins the Kopa Trophy as the best young player for the third time in a row. He beats, among others, teammate Pau Cubarsí, Lennart Karl, Yan Diomandé and Ayyoub Bouaddi, and says he gave the award more to Cubarsí than to himself. In his speech he said that the defender of FC Barcelona should have been the winner.

Season performances and impact

In the past season he played 45 matches for FC Barcelona, scored 24 goals and provided eighteen assists. In La Liga he delivered 16 goals and eleven assists in 28 games, playing a key role in the title of Barcelona. This campaign he already adds eight goals and six assists in ten competitive matches.

Yamal secures unprecedented third straight Copa Trophy for Barcelona

Yamal also won the World Cup title with Spain and is among the ten players still in the race for the Ballon d'Or, where Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappé are mentioned as major contenders.

The Kopa Trophy has existed since 2018; in 2019 Matthijs de Ligt was the first Dutchman to win the main prize. Before that Kylian Mbappé, Pedri and Gavi won the award, before Yamal began his hegemony.

In the women's category the Talent of the Year award went to the twenty‑year‑old Vicky López of Barcelona, who finished ahead of the Dutch Lioness Veerle Buurman. It shows that both male and female talent at the highest level is recognised.