The race for the 2025 Kopa Trophy has officially kicked off and this year, it’s bursting with youthful brilliance and exciting prospects.
Announced earlier today by UEFA Champions League at 11:02 AM , the shortlist for football’s most prestigious youth award features 10 outstanding players under the age of 21.
Named after French legend Raymond Kopa, the trophy is awarded annually to the world’s best under-21 footballer. Past winners include global icons like Kylian Mbappé and Pedri, and the honour is widely regarded as a major stepping stone to football superstardom.
Names like Désiré Doué, João Neves, Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsí dominate the headlines ; a strong signal that the future of world football is not just promising, but already thriving.
With the Kopa Trophy voted for by former Ballon d’Or winners and awarded by France Football, it’s seen as a glimpse into tomorrow’s football royalty and this year’s crop is already making serious waves.
PSG Duo Doué and Neves
Leading the nominations is Paris Saint-Germain’s Désiré Doué, who made headlines in 2024 after a €50 million switch from Rennes. Just 17 years old, Doué didn’t take long to justify the hype scoring in Ligue 1 and even delivering a goal and assist in PSG’s emphatic 7-0 UEFA Champions League win over Brest in February. His performances helped PSG secure a historic treble, including their long-awaited first-ever Champions League trophy.
His teammate João Neves, a commanding young midfielder signed from Benfica, has also impressed with his composure, work rate, and tactical awareness. Both are now viewed as the heartbeat of PSG’s future.
.Barcelona’s Golden Generation: Yamal and Cubarsí
Spanish giants Barcelona are never far from the spotlight when it comes to youth development ; and this year, two of their La Masia graduates are in the mix. Lamine Yamal, already hailed as the ‘new Messi’, has smashed records left and right since debuting at just 15.
He made history by becoming the youngest player to score in a Champions League semi-final, putting him firmly in contention for not just the Kopa, but future Ballon d’Or glory.
Standing alongside him is defensive prodigy Pau Cubarsí. At just 17 years and 50 days, Cubarsí became the youngest defender ever to start in a Champions League knockout match earlier this year.
With Barcelona tying him down until 2029 and slapping on a €500 million release clause, the club clearly sees him as untouchable. His nomination is also a rare nod to defensive excellence in an award that often favours flashy forwards.
Future Icons from Across the Globe
The list doesn’t stop with PSG and Barcelona. Lille’s Ayyoub Bouaddi, still only 16, has been making waves as the youngest player ever in a European club competition.
Brazil’s Estevão Willian, who now plies his trade at Chelsea, also made the cut for his flair and raw dribbling talent. Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly and Real Madrid’s Dean Huijsen round out the Premier League interest while Porto’s Rodrigo Mora and Juventus forward Kenan Yıldız offer further proof that the pipeline of global football talent remains strong and diverse.
With former Ballon d’Or winners casting their votes, the 2025 edition feels especially competitive. Whether it’s Doué’s game-changing play for PSG, Yamal’s record-breaking feats, or Cubarsí’s rise as a defensive stalwart, the top contenders each bring something different
