Kopa Trophy Explained: Meet the Rising Stars Who Won Football's Most Coveted Young Player Award and 2025's Elite Contenders

The Ballon d'Or gala has undergone substantial growth in recent years, featuring a diverse collection of prestigious awards available for recognition.

The Ballon d'Or recognizes the top male footballer annually, but we now also enjoy the Ballon d'Or Féminin—the equivalent honor for female players—along with numerous other distinguished accolades celebrating excellence in football

Among the honors distributed at this ceremony in recent years is the Kopa Trophy, which several of today's football superstars have earned.

But what exactly is the Kopa Trophy? And which players have previously claimed this award?

What is the Kopa Trophy?

The Kopa Trophy has been presented at the Ballon d'Or ceremony since 2018 and recognizes the outstanding male footballer under 21 years of age. Players from outside UEFA competitions and leagues are eligible, distinguishing it from the Golden Boy award.

The Kopa Trophy is evaluated by a panel of previous Ballon d'Or recipients, who collectively determine the finest player under 21 from the preceding season. For instance, in 2025, the award will recognize the top performer throughout the 2024–25 season.

The honor is bestowed by France Football, who also present the Ballon d'Or, and bears the name of football legend Raymond Kopa.

Who is Raymond Kopa?

Raymond Kopa claimed the third Ballon d'Or in 1958 and remains an iconic figure for France, Real Madrid and Reims.

The attacking player, who died in 2017, stood among the most celebrated footballers of the 1950s and 1960s, securing three European Cups and two La Liga championships with Madrid plus four French league titles with Reims.

He earned the 1958 Ballon d'Or through his club and international displays, guiding France to third place at that year's World Cup after already capturing La Liga and the European Cup. He represented Les Bleus 45 times and earned the nickname 'Little Napoleon' from Spanish media for his commanding presence in attack.

Past Winners of the Kopa Trophy

Six different players have claimed the Kopa Trophy, with recipients unlikely to win multiple times due to the award's age limitations. Nevertheless, all former winners have achieved considerable success.

Kylian Mbappe became the first Kopa Trophy recipient in 2018 following his brilliant displays with Paris Saint-Germain. The French star had already secured two Ligue 1 titles before earning this recognition but continues to pursue his first Ballon d'Or. With his move to Real Madrid, that achievement seems inevitable.

Perhaps the most surprising Kopa Trophy winner came in 2019, when current Manchester United defender Matthijs de Ligt received the honor while at Juventus. However, his Ajax performances had captured attention, though the Dutch defender has yet to fulfill his enormous early promise.

Following 2020's canceled ceremony, two Barcelona midfielders captured the subsequent awards. Pedri and Gavi earned well-deserved victories in 2021 and 2022 respectively, as fans marveled at the emergence of two players reminiscent of Andrés Iniesta.

England and Madrid sensation Jude Bellingham claimed the 2023 Kopa Trophy, while Lamine Yamal became the most recent winner, securing the 2024 award by an unprecedented margin.

The Spanish prodigy earned a record 113 points in voting. Runner-up Arda Güler, by comparison, received only 26 points.

Every Kopa Trophy Winner

Nominees for the 2025 Kopa Trophy

Following established custom, 10 of football's most promising young stars have been nominated for the 2025 Kopa Trophy, with the victor to be announced on September 22.

Current Kopa Trophy champion Lamine Yamal appears on the shortlist again after leading Barcelona's domestic treble success in 2024–25. Joining him is fellow Barça talent Pau Cubarsí, the teenage center-back who became crucial to Hansi Flick's title-winning defense.

The Barcelona pair face strong competition, however. Paris Saint-Germain present two formidable candidates in João Neves and Désiré Doué, both pivotal in bringing the Champions League trophy to Paris last season.

Additionally, Real Madrid's new signing Dean Huijsen gains recognition following an impressive breakthrough season at Bournemouth, while current Premier League talent includes Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly and Chelsea's promising Brazilian winger Estêvão.

The shortlist concludes with LOSC Lille's midfield sensation Ayyoub Bouaddi, Porto standout Rodrigo Mora, and Juventus forward Kenan Yıldız.

Kopa Trophy 2025 Nominees in Full