In a night that solidified his status as one of football’s brightest young talents, Lamine Yamal has clinched the 2025 Kopa Trophy, the prestigious award for the world’s best under-21 player.
The 18-year-old Barcelona sensation etched his name further into history by becoming the first recipient to win the honor in consecutive years, following his triumphant 2024 victory. Presented during the glitzy Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris on September 22, 2025, Yamal’s back-to-back success underscores his meteoric rise from La Masia prodigy to global icon.
The Kopa Trophy, named after the legendary French footballer Raymond Kopa—the 1958 Ballon d’Or winner—has been a beacon for emerging stars since its inception in 2018. Judged by a panel of former Ballon d’Or recipients, it celebrates excellence among players under 21 as of July 31 of the award year. Yamal’s repeat feat is unprecedented; previous winners like Kylian Mbappé (2018), Pedri (2021), and Jude Bellingham (2023) each claimed it just once.
Yamal’s path to this second Kopa crown was paved with extraordinary performances that left pundits and fans in awe. After bursting onto the scene in the 2023-24 campaign—where he became the youngest player ever nominated for the Ballon d’Or at 17—the Spanish winger elevated his game even further in 2024-25.
Under manager Hansi Flick, Barcelona stormed to a domestic treble, with Yamal as the creative heartbeat of the attack. He notched an astonishing 15 goals and 20 assists across all competitions, including pivotal strikes in key Clásico clashes against Real Madrid. His highlight-reel moment came in a thrilling 4-3 comeback win over Los Blancos at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys on May 11, 2025, where his visionary pass set up the equalizer. Internationally, Yamal continued to shine for Spain, contributing to their Nations League triumphs and earning rave reviews for his blend of dribbling wizardry, vision, and composure beyond his years.
