Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal claimed the 2024 Kopa Trophy at the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris on Monday night, Afrosport reports.
The 17-year-old of Moroccan and Equatorial Guinean heritage was a revelation during the 2023-24 season, breaking multiple goal and appearance records as a 16-year-old in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League.
Yamal then went on to star at the Euro 2024 championship in Germany, breaking more records with his goal in the semi-finals against France and his assist in the final against England, with La Roja ultimately winning the title.
He has continued that rich vein of form in the ongoing 2024-25 season, with 13 goal involvements (six goals, seven assists) in 14 competitive games, including a goal in Saturday’s 4-0 El Clasico victory against Real Madrid.
Yamal won the Kopa Trophy, which ranks players aged 21 or younger, ahead of Real Madrid midfielder Arder Guler and Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo.
LAMINE YAMAL IS THE 2024 KOPA TROPHY!
The 17 year old spanish wonder boy can’t be stopped from @FCBarcelona! ✨🇪🇸 #TrophéeKopa #ballondor @championsleague pic.twitter.com/iKeIHAURrZ
— Ballon d’Or (@ballondor) October 28, 2024
He also placed eighth in the men’s ranking for the Ballon d’Or award ahead of Toni Kroos (9th), Harry Kane (10th) and Phil Foden (11th)
Meanwhile, Barcelona Femeni were named the Women’s Team of the Year.
