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Lionel Messi stood apart from the crowd by including Bayer Leverkusen's gifted attacking midfielder Ibrahim Maza in his selections for the world's finest young footballers.
Unlike the main award, which is rightfully determined by journalists, the Kopa Trophy awarded to the top U-21 player over the preceding 12 months is decided solely by former Ballon d'Or recipients. Twenty-seven past winners submitted their top three choices—Cristiano Ronaldo was among only three living former champions who chose not to vote—yet Messi was the sole voter to include Maza on his list.
The legendary ex-Barcelona star didn't completely abandon familiar territory, placing Lamine Yamal first and Pau Cubarsí second in line with the overall vote standings, but he notably found space for Maza in his selections.
Lionel Messi's Top Three in Kopa Trophy Voting
Who Is Ibrahim Maza?
Many will already know Maza well. After all, this is a player who has accumulated 12 Champions League appearances and has been a consistent presence in Bayer Leverkusen's starting lineup since departing Hertha BSC for the Rhine region in 2025. Even so, his brightest days appear to still lie ahead.
Barely 18 months ago, Maza was still competing in Germany's second division. By the summer, he was lining up against Messi at the World Cup.
It remains uncertain whether Argentina's skipper had been aware of Maza's skillset before their nation's opening World Cup fixture, and in fairness, his 82-minute performance wasn't the most complete showcase of his abilities. At his peak, Maza is a slippery menace, gliding across the pitch with the freedom to roam wherever he pleases from his commanding role in Leverkusen's three-man midfield.
His clever flicks, bursts of goals, and distinctive low-worn socks have unsurprisingly drawn comparisons to the No. 10 he succeeded at Leverkusen, Florian Wirtz.
"I don't enjoy those kinds of comparisons," Maza remarked. "He became the most expensive signing in Premier League history, and I hope to reach his level one day, but I'm not there yet."
Ibrahim Maza is a star 🌟#UEL | @bayer04_en pic.twitter.com/nwXGzxwbiH
Maza, as Messi has acknowledged, is firmly on the rise. After contributing a solid five goals and seven assists throughout his debut campaign at Leverkusen, the 20-year-old has already netted four times and provided three more assists this season.
There is an air of spontaneity and youthful instinct to Maza's game, though it conceals a sharp tactical awareness. The Berlin-born midfielder chose to represent Algeria "purely for sporting reasons," as he candidly admitted.
"In the German national team, the competition for my position is incredibly intense, making it very difficult to break into the starting lineup or earn a spot in the squad. From a sporting standpoint, representing Algeria gives me a better opportunity to play at the World Cup and compete at the highest level. That's why I made this decision with complete confidence."
If Maza maintains this upward trajectory, Germany may well look back on his choice with regret.