Barcelona star Lamine Yamal made use of his acceptance speech for the Kopa Trophy on Monday evening to reveal his take that fellow Blaugrana youngster and close friend Pau Cubarsí was the deserving winner of the prize.
Attacker Lamine is for his part fresh off being named the standout young player in world football for the third year in succession.
After clinching the Kopa Trophy at both the 2024 and 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremonies, the 19-year-old was this evening once again crowned the best U21 player in the game over the course of the last 12 months.
Lamine beat out familiar competition to scoop the accolade, with Barcelona and Spain teammate Pau Cubarsí voted as runner-up following his spectacular performance at the World Cup.
Speaking during his acceptance speech in front of a packed crowd in London, the former therefore made use of the opportunity to highlight the name of his compatriot:
“I think this award should have gone to Pau Cubarsí. I think he deserved it the most.”
Conor Laird – GSFN