Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal, just 17 years old, received the Kopa Trophy for the best young player of last season during the Ballon d'Or gala on Monday.

“I want to thank the coaching staff, my teammates, the national team, Mr. Luis, Xavi, who was with me, and now Hansi. This is an effort I dedicate to everyone who has supported me. Visca el Barça and the capital, C042,” said Yamal, making history as the youngest winner of this award.

This recognition makes Yamal the third Spanish player and third from Barcelona to win the Kopa Trophy, following in the footsteps of Pedri (2021) and Gavi (2022). Previously, Jude Bellingham won in 2023, Matthijs de Ligt in 2019, and Kylian Mbappé in 2018.

The Kopa Trophy is awarded from a shortlist of ten candidates, with a jury made up of 33 living Ballon d'Or winners, adding a special significance to this accolade in the football world.