Audio By Carbonatix
Lamine Yamal was named the world's best young player of the year as he won the 2024 Kopa Trophy due to his excellent displays for Barcelona and Spain.
The 17-year-old winger was handed the award on Monday after a year in which he established himself as a first-team star at Barcelona and played a key role in Spain's Euro 2024 success.
Yamal has been handed the trophy for best player under the age of 21, taking the award from last year's winner and Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham. He follows his current Barcelona team-mates Gavi and Pedri in claiming the prize, while Kylian Mbappe and Matthijs de Ligt are the other previous winners.
Yamal finished top of the rankings with Real Madrid and Turkey youngster Arda Guler coming in second, while Manchester United's Kobbie Mainoo was third. Manchester City's new signing Savinho was fourth, while Yamal's Barcelona team-mate Pau Cubarsi was fifth. Joao Neves, who was signed from Paris Saint-Germain after an excellent year at Benfica, was joint-sixth, tied with United's Alejandro Garnacho. Bayern Munich's Mathys Tel, Warren Zaire-Emery of Paris Saint-Germain and Red Bull Salzburg and Ivory Coast forward Karim Konate were all tied for eighth place.
Yamal won the prize just two days after he helped Barcelona to an incredible 4-0 win against Real Madrid in the Santiago Bernabeu in La Liga. He will hope the prize gives him a boost as Barca, who have won their last five games, come up against Catalan rivals Espanyol in their next match.
Latest Stories
-
GPL 25/26: Salim Adams inspires Medeama SC to Crucial 2-0 win over Bibiani Gold Stars
14 minutes -
2025/26 Ghana League: Aduana’s title push falters after stalemate with Heart of Lions
22 minutes -
Kasapreko reports GH₵73m profit for Q1 2026
35 minutes -
Prestea Huni-Valley assembly appeals for replacement of broken-down skip truck as parliamentary committee reviews sanitation services
36 minutes -
Minority caucus ‘strips BoG naked’ over losses, accuses NDC of hiding true financial Ccrisis
40 minutes -
PURC resolves 98.6% of utility complaints in Volta/Oti as service concerns surge
57 minutes -
Invest in power systems security architecture for reliable electricity supply – Energy expert urges gov’t
58 minutes -
Pastor Ansah: Ghana’s TikTok sensation blending pulpit and humour
59 minutes -
From Aid to Autonomy: Why Ghana must build self-reliance through health, research, and mining-led industrialisation
1 hour -
“Do Better” — Azamati criticizes Sports Ministry after historic relay feat
2 hours -
Abdul Rasheed Saminu slams Ghana Sports Ministry over travel arrangements after World Relays success
2 hours -
It will be a beautiful story if Wendy Shay wins TGMA Artiste of the Year – Reggie Rockstone
2 hours -
NAIMOS bust galamsey syndicate at Ntabanu and Nyameadom, 7 arrested
2 hours -
NAIMOS, Blue Water Guards arrest 8, seize excavators in night raid at Mpatasie and Odaho
2 hours -
How Stephen Appiah’s words kept Kyereh going through three-year injury struggle
2 hours