Ballon d’Or 2025: Lamine Yamal wins Kopa Trophy

Barcelona starlet Lamine Yamal has etched his name into football history after winning the 2025 Kopa Trophy at the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris. The 18-year-old forward becomes the first player to win the prestigious men’s youth award in consecutive years.

What is the Kopa Trophy?

Introduced in 2018, the Kopa Trophy is awarded to the best player in the world under the age of 21. Named after French legend Raymond Kopa, the award has quickly become the ultimate recognition for football’s rising stars. Past winners include Kylian Mbappé, Pedri, and Jude Bellingham.

Yamal’s rise to stardom

Yamal enjoyed a breakthrough campaign in 2024/25, scoring 18 goals in 55 appearances for Barcelona and helping the Catalan giants clinch both La Liga and the Copa del Rey.

On the international stage, the teenager played a key role in Spain’s European Championship triumph, underlining his status as one of the brightest young talents in world football. Last year, Yamal won his first Kopa Trophy after Spain’s continental success, and by retaining it in 2025, he sets a record no other player has achieved.

Women’s Kopa Trophy

Spain’s dominance extended to the women’s game, as Vicky López was named winner of the Women’s Kopa Trophy at this year’s ceremony, further underlining the depth of talent in Spanish football.

Ballon d’Or build-up

Ahead of the main award reveal, organisers released the men’s Ballon d’Or rankings from 30th to 11th place. The list included big names such as Erling Haaland, Vinícius Júnior, Robert Lewandowski, and Harry Kane, all missing out on a top-10 finish.

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Paris Saint-Germain featured strongly, with Fabián Ruiz, João Neves, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia among the contenders. PSG forward Ousmane Dembélé remains one of the leading favourites for the night’s biggest prize.

As the ceremony unfolded at the Théâtre du Châtelet, the football world buzzed with anticipation for the crowning of the 2025 Ballon d’Or winner.

SportsLigue