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It’s not just the men’s and women’s Golden Balls that will be handed out the Ballon d’Or ceremony, as a swathe of new prizes have been added to the roster by co-organisers France Football and UEFA in recent times. One of those is the Kopa Trophy, which is awarded to the best player under the age of 21 from the previous season.
The 2023-24 campaign saw a number of youngsters thrive at the highest level, with some of the defining moments of the year provided by players who are only just making their way in the game.
Previous winners of the Kopa Trophy include Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, Pedri and Gavi, and with the award voted for by previous Ballon d’Or winners, it is regarded as one the biggest any young player can win.
We will have to wait until the ceremony in Paris on Monday, October 28 to find out who will walk away with the 2024 prize, but for now, here is the shortlist of nominees:
Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona)
Cubarsi has developed into one of Barcelona’s most important defenders. He is just 17 but has 28 first-team appearances under his belt, as well as six caps for Spain. He is tied to Barca until 2027 and one has to think they will hope to extend that.
Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United)
United’s next great hope. The Argentina international already has six caps, and he is just 20. In 2023/24, he developed into a key player under Erik ten Hag, scoring 10 goals in all competitions and becoming the club’s undisputed first-choice left winger.
Arda Guler (Real Madrid)
Guler lit up Euro 2024 with Turkiye as they embarked on an unlikely run to the quarter-finals. One goal and two assists in the tournament followed a season in which he scored six La Liga goals for Real Madrid in just 10 games. A dazzling technician, Guler has marked himself out as a playmaker to watch.
Karim Konate (RB Salzburg)
Konate is fast becoming one of the most impressive strikers in Europe, and one has to think it is only a matter of time before he gets a big move. He scored 20 goals last season and also registered eight assists. Still 20, he is also an Ivory Coast regular.
Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United)
Mainoo has developed into one of United’s best midfielders and was also integral to England’s run to the Euro 2024 final, where he was perhaps unlucky to only walk away with a silver medal. He did win the FA Cup, though, and scored in the final against Manchester City.
Joao Neves (PSG)
Neves emerged as one of the best deep-lying playmakers in Europe during his time at Benfica so it is little surprise he is now on the books of PSG. Last season, he was almost everpresent for the Portuguese club and played his way into his country’s Euro 2024 squad, where he played twice.
Savinho (Manchester City)
Now at City, Savinho lit up LaLiga while on loan with Girona last season. Nine goals and 10 assists convinced City to bring him in from sister club Troyes, and catapulted him into the Brazil XI. He now has seven caps for his country.
Mathys Tel (Bayern Munich)
Not one to be overshadowed, Tel has remained something of a secret weapon for Bayern, perfectly complimenting the signing of Harry Kane. The 19-year-old contributed 16 goal involvements, and shows no sign of slowing down.
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
What more is there to say about Yamal? The Barcelona prodigy is 17 but he played a key role in Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph, after contributing 16 goals for his club throughout the season. That he was able to score a wonder-goal against France in the semi-final and provide four assists throughout the tournament surely sets him apart as the favourite for the Kopa Trophy.
Warren Zaire-Emery (PSG)
Zaire-Emery may have made his debut three seasons ago but he is still a teenager, and he is rapidly developing into a key player at PSG. Last season, he clocked 43 appearances and was included in France’s Euro 2024 squad, although he did not play.
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