Ballon d’Or 2025 Kopa Trophy Nominees: The Future of Football Takes Center Stage

⚽ Introduction: Celebrating Youth Excellence

The Kopa Trophy, awarded annually at the Ballon d’Or ceremony, honors the best U-21 footballer in the world. Named after French legend Raymond Kopa, the award has become a benchmark for emerging talent. The 2025 shortlist is packed with prodigies who lit up the 2024/25 season across Europe.

What Is the Kopa Trophy

The Ballon d’Or Kopa Trophy is a prestigious football award presented annually to the best performing player under the age of 21 worldwide . It’s part of the Ballon d’Or ceremony, organized by France Football, and is named in honor of Raymond Kopa, the legendary French footballer who won the Ballon d’Or in 1958.

Key Facts About the Kopa Trophy:

- Eligibility: Players under 21 from any league globally
- Voters: All living Ballon d’Or winners (e.g., Messi, Ronaldo, Modrić)
- First Awarded: 2018 (won by Kylian Mbappé)
- Purpose: Recognizes youth excellence, consistency, and impact across the season
- Difference from Golden Boy: Kopa Trophy is global; Golden Boy is limited to European leagues

️ Past Winners

Kylian Mbappé (2018)
Matthijs de Ligt (2019)
Pedri (2021)
Gavi (2022)
Jude Bellingham (2023)
Lamine Yamal (2024)

2025 Kopa Trophy Nominees

Here are the 10 male nominees for the 2025 Kopa Trophy:

Lamine Yamal (Barcelona, Spain)
Desire Doue (Paris Saint-Germain, France)
Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona, Spain)
Joao Neves (Paris Saint-Germain, Portugal)
Dean Huijsen (Real Madrid, Spain)
Estevao Gonçalves (Chelsea, Brazil)
Rodrigo Mora (Porto, Portugal)
Ayyoub Bouaddi (Lille, France)
Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal, England)
Kenan Yildiz (Juventus, Turkey)

Spotlight: Lamine Yamal

Reigning Kopa Trophy winner
Helped Barcelona win the domestic treble
Could become the first player to win the award twice

Spotlight: Desire Doue

Scored twice in PSG’s 5-0 Champions League final win
Integral to PSG’s historic treble

Spotlight: Pau Cubarsi

Anchored Barcelona’s defense at just 18
Played every minute of their La Liga title run

Spotlight: Joao Neves

Midfield engine for PSG
Known for his composure and passing range

Spotlight: Dean Huijsen

Former Bournemouth standout
Joined Real Madrid after a breakout season

Spotlight: Estevao Gonçalves

Chelsea’s Brazilian wonderkid
Compared to Neymar for his flair and creativity

Spotlight: Rodrigo Mora

Porto’s midfield maestro
Dominated Liga Portugal with goals and assists

Spotlight: Ayyoub Bouaddi

Lille’s teenage sensation
Known for his dribbling and tactical maturity

Spotlight: Myles Lewis-Skelly

Arsenal’s breakout defender
Played 39 matches and scored on his England debut

Spotlight: Kenan Yildiz

Juventus’ rising star
Versatile forward with a killer instinct

Women’s Kopa Trophy Debuts

For the first time, a women’s Kopa Trophy will be awarded. Nominees include:

Michelle Agyemang (England)
Others to be announced soon

Voting Process

Jury includes Ballon d’Or winners like Messi, Ronaldo, and Modrić
Criteria: Performance, impact, consistency, and potential

Ceremony Details

The Kopa Trophy is an annual football award presented by France Football to the best performing male footballer under the age of 21. It is named after Raymond Kopa, a legendary French footballer, and was first awarded in 2018.

Kopa Trophy Ceremony Details (General Overview)

Date
- Usually held alongside the Ballon d’Or ceremony.
- Expected timing: October or November each year.
- The exact date for the 2025 Kopa Trophy ceremony is yet to be officially announced.
Venue
- Traditionally held at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, France.
‍⚖️ Who Votes?
- Unlike the Ballon d’Or (voted by journalists), the Kopa Trophy is voted by former Ballon d’Or winners.
Eligibility
- Players must be 21 years old or younger as of the year of the award.
- Considerations include performances for club and country during the previous season.

What This Means for Football

The Kopa Trophy highlights the next generation of global stars, many of whom are already influencing top-tier matches and shaping club strategies.

Fantasy Football Buzz

Players like Yamal, Doue, and Neves are trending in fantasy leagues, offering high upside for managers building youth-heavy squads.

Club Impact

Clubs with Kopa nominees see:

Increased merchandise sales
Global fan engagement
Enhanced brand value

Media Coverage

Outlets like Goal, Sporting News, and Tribuna are tracking every development leading up to the ceremony.

Social Media Reactions

Fans are debating favorites across:

Call to Action: Celebrate the Future of Football!

Support the stars of tomorrow with official Kopa Trophy-themed merchandise! Follow us on and for exclusive updates, giveaways, and behind-the-scenes content. Every purchase helps fund youth football and stadium development. Be part of the legacy—shop now!

Final Thoughts

The 2025 Kopa Trophy nominees represent the brightest talents in world football. Whether it’s Yamal’s magic, Doue’s dominance, or Lewis-Skelly’s grit, these players are shaping the future—and fans everywhere are watching closely.