Barcelona's Yamal becomes youngest Kopa winner

Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal became the youngest ever winner of the Kopa Trophy at Monday's Ballon d'Or ceremony in Paris, an award which recognises the best under-21 player in men's football.

Yamal also finished No. 8 in the voting for the men's Ballon d'Or.

The 17-year-old has enjoyed a breakout year for club and country, helping Spain win the European Championship last summer and playing a prominent role in a new-look Barça side under Hansi Flick.

It is the third time in four years the trophy has been won by a Barcelona player. Pedri won it 2021 and Gavi in 2022, but it is Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham -- last year's winner -- who Yamal succeeds as the most talented youngster in the game.

Kylian Mbappé and Matthijs de Ligt are the other previous winners of the Kopa Trophy, which was launched in 2018.

"It is an honour to win this award," Yamal said as he received the trophy. "I want to thank my mum, dad and my grandma, who have always supported me. "I also want to thank my teammates, all the staff at Barça and with the Spanish national team, and my coaches, Luis de la Fuente, Xavi [Hernández] and Hansi [Flick]."

In finishing eighth in the voting for the Ballon d'Or, Yamal became the youngest player to ever breach the top 10.

Former Brazil international Ronaldo, aged 21 when he won the first of his two Ballon d'Ors, is currently the youngest ever player to land the top individual prize in the game, giving Yamal plenty of time to break that record.

"They told me [I could one day break Ronaldo's record] and it would be fantastic to have a career like his," Yamal added. "I hope I can win the Ballon d'Or as soon as possible, it's an objective for all players, but the most important thing is to enjoy yourself. When you enjoy yourself, everything comes off better."

Yamal made his senior debut for Barça as a 15-year-old in 2023 and went on to make 50 appearances for the first team last season, scoring seven goals and providing seven assists.

Those performances earned him a place in the Spain squad for Euro 2024 in Germany, where he played a leading role as La Roja won the competition for the first time since 2012.

He set up four goals in seven appearances at the finals, but it was his semifinal goal against France, curled into the top corner from outside the box, which was the standout moment.

That goal was later named Goal of the Tournament, while he was also named the Young Player of the Tournament and included in the Team of the Tournament.

Yamal has taken the form he displayed in the summer into the new campaign under German coach Flick as part of a front three with Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha, which has helped Barça win 10 of their opening 11 games in LaLiga.

The latest victory came against Real Madrid at the weekend, when Yamal scored the third goal in a 4-0 win at the Bernabéu to become the youngest ever scorer in the Clásico.

In 14 appearances in all competitions this season, he has already accounted for six goals and seven assists.