Barcelona’s teenage prodigy, Lamine Yamal, has made history by becoming the first player ever to win the Kopa Trophy two years in a row.
At just 18, Yamal lifted the award for the first time in 2024 after lighting up the European Championships with Spain. Last season, he went even further, spearheading a Barcelona team reborn under Hansi Flick and guiding them to a stunning domestic treble—La Liga, Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup—all at the expense of arch-rivals Real Madrid.
His stats were impressive—18 goals and 25 assists across all competitions—but his influence went far beyond numbers. With fearless dribbling, sharp creativity, and a knack for delivering in big moments, Yamal left defenders scrambling. Ahead of the Champions League final, six Inter Milan players were asked about their toughest opponent that season. Every single one named him.
Though Barcelona’s run ended in the semifinals against Inter, Yamal’s relentlessness stood out. Across the two legs, he attempted 38 dribbles—more than teammate Raphinha managed in the entire tournament.
The Kopa Trophy, chosen by former Ballon d’Or winners, celebrates the best player under 21. Since its launch in 2018, stars like Mbappé, De Ligt, Pedri, Gavi, and Jude Bellingham have claimed it. But until Yamal, no one had ever won twice. His achievement speaks to not just consistency but a growing reputation as one of the brightest young talents in the game.
2025 Kopa Trophy Rankings
-
Lamine Yamal
-
Désiré Doué
-
Joao Neves
-
Estevao
-
Kenan Yildiz
-
Dean Huijsen
-
Pau Cubarsi
-
Rodrigo Mora
-
Ayyoub Bouaddi
-
Myles Lewis-Skelly
Barcelona also had reason to celebrate on the women’s side. Nineteen-year-old forward Vicky Lopez claimed the Women’s Kopa Trophy, making it a remarkable double win for the Catalan club.
2025 Women’s Kopa Trophy Rankings
-
Vicky Lopez
-
Linda Caicedo
-
Wieke Kaptein
-
Michelle Agyemang
-
Claudia Martinez Ovando
