Ballon d’Or unveils 2025 Kopa Trophy nominees

The organisers of the Ballon d’Or have officially revealed the 10-man shortlist for the 2025 Kopa Trophy, the prestigious award given annually to the best under-21 footballers in the world.

The list, unveiled on Thursday via the Ballon d’Or’s official X (formerly Twitter) account, features some of the brightest young talents making waves in European and global football. The nominees represent a new generation of footballing excellence, each player already leaving their mark on the elite stage.

In a statement released on Thursday via X, the ten rising stars nominated for the prestigious accolade include Ayyoub Bouaddi, Pau Cubarsi, Désiré Doué, Estevão, Dean Huijsen, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Rodrigo Mora, Joao Neves, Lamine Yamal, and Kenan Yildiz.

“These are our 2025 Kopa Trophy nominees!” the Ballon d’Or team announced, celebrating the emerging talents shaping the future of global football.

Among the standout names is Lamine Yamal, the teenage sensation from FC Barcelona, who has dazzled fans and pundits with his flair, intelligence, and fearless approach despite his young age. Yamal’s performances for both club and country have placed him firmly among the frontrunners for the award.

João Neves of Benfica also makes the list, having played a pivotal role in the club’s domestic and European campaigns. The Portuguese midfielder has earned praise for his composure, tactical maturity, and work rate, drawing comparisons to elite midfielders of the past.

Ayyoub Bouaddi, another exciting prospect, continues to catch the eye with his versatility and impact in midfield. Similarly, Pau Cubarsí, a product of Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy, has emerged as a solid defensive presence and is already earning senior minutes at a top level.

Other nominees include Désiré Doué of Rennes, whose speed and attacking instincts have made him a key player in Ligue 1, and Estevão, the Brazilian prodigy whose skill set has prompted scouts to tip him as the next breakout star from South America.

Also on the list is Dean Huijsen, the Dutch-born Spanish defender whose loan spell from Juventus to Roma saw him gain valuable top-flight experience, as well as Myles Lewis-Skelly, the Arsenal academy graduate touted for his dynamic midfield capabilities.

Rodrigo Mora, another young gem from South America, has made significant strides with his performances at club level, and Kenan Yildiz, the Turkish forward making headlines at Juventus, rounds off the 10-man list with his mix of power and technical finesse.

The Kopa Trophy was first introduced in 2018 and named after former French football legend Raymond Kopa, who was one of the stars of the 1950s and won the Ballon d’Or in 1958. It is awarded by France Football and voted on by former Ballon d’Or winners, adding a unique layer of prestige to the honour.

Previous winners of the Kopa Trophy include global stars like Kylian Mbappé, Matthijs de Ligt, Pedri, and Jude Bellingham, making the accolade a strong indicator of future football greatness. The 2025 edition promises to continue that tradition, with the winner set to be announced at the Ballon d’Or ceremony later in the year.