Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal has made history by becoming the first player to win the Kopa Trophy awarded to the best football player under the age of 21 two consecutive years at the 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony held on September 22, 2025, in Paris.
Yamal, who won the award in 2024 at the age of 17, continued his impressive form throughout the year, playing a key role for both FC Barcelona and the Spanish national team. His youth and skill have made him one of the most exciting young talents in world football.
In addition to Yamal’s success, Barcelona enjoyed a double victory as Vicky Lopez was crowned the inaugural winner of the Women’s Kopa Trophy, recognizing the best female player under 21.
Other notable nominees for the men’s Kopa Trophy in 2025 included Paris Saint-Germain’s João Neves and Désiré Doué, Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly, Chelsea’s Estêvão, and Real Madrid’s Dean Huijsen.
Yamal’s back-to-back triumph underscores his rising star status and highlights Barcelona’s continued focus on nurturing exceptional young talent.