Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal is once again the frontrunner for the 2025 Kopa Trophy, as the final shortlist of ten nominees for the prestigious youth award was officially unveiled.
Yamal, 18, is racing to be the only player besides Lionel Messi to win two consecutive Kopa Trophies, after his victory last year before Real Madrid’s Arda Güler and Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo.
Raymond Kopa, a French football icon, is the name of the annual award given to the best U21 player in the world, decided by ex-Ballon d’Or titleholders.
Barcelona are the only club with two players nominated, with standout center-back Pau Cubarsí joining Yamal after a breakout season anchoring Hansi Flick’s La Liga-winning defense.
They face stiff competition from Champions League-winning Paris Saint-Germain duo João Neves and Désiré Doué, who were instrumental in PSG’s European success last season.
New Real Madrid signing Dean Huijsen also earns a nomination following a sensational campaign on loan at Bournemouth, while Arsenal midfielder Myles Lewis-Skelly and Chelsea’s Brazilian starlet Estêvão complete the Premier League contingent.
Other names on the list include Lille’s midfield gem Ayyoub Bouaddi, Porto’s rising forward Rodrigo Mora, and Juventus’ versatile attacker Kenan Yıldız.
Kylian Mbappé won the inaugural Kopa Trophy in 2018, with previous winners including Matthijs de Ligt, Pedri, Gavi, and Jude Bellingham.
The women’s version of the award equally highlights the best young talents on the planet, such as Barcelona’s Vicky Lopez, Real Madrid’s Linda Caicedo, and Brighton’s Michelle Agyemang, who were on loan from Arsenal during the last season.
2025 Kopa Trophy – Final Nominees: Yamal, Cubarsí (Barcelona); Neves, Doué (PSG); Huijsen (Real Madrid); Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal); Estêvão (Chelsea); Bouaddi (Lille); Mora (
