Lamine Yamal Leads 2026 Kopa Trophy Shortlist

Lamine Yamal has been shortlisted for the 2026 Kopa Trophy, awarded annually to the best under-21 performer. He is the first player to win the award consecutively, having previously won it in 2025.

In the 2025-26 season, Yamal excelled at Barcelona, scoring 24 goals and providing 18 assists in 45 matches, leading the team to La Liga glory. His performance strengthens his candidacy for the 2026 Ballon d'Or.

Yamal is competing against his Barcelona teammate Pau Cubarsi, who also had a significant impact in winning La Liga and contributed to his national team's World Cup victory. Other nominees include Yan Diomande from Real Madrid, Ayyoub Bouaddi from Manchester City, Warren Zare-Emery from PSG, Lennart Karl from Bayern Munich, Ibrahim Maza from Bayer Leverkusen, Junior Kroupi from Bournemouth, Johan Manzambi from Aston Villa, and Kerim Alajbegovi from Juventus.

In the women's category, defending champion Vicky López is up against teammate Clara Serrajordi and others.