Official: Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal wins the 2024 Kopa Trophy | OneFootball

FC Barcelona have always had the privilege of producing and keeping some of the world’s best talents. La Blaugrana, despite all the star-power that can be seen across their prestigious history, have always had a special connection with young talents. In fact, many of the best players throughout the history of Barcelona happen to be youngsters developed by the club.

The latest player to continue that proud legacy is none other than 17-year-old Lamine Yamal. Already a household name in the world of football, for both his generational talents and his record-breaking triumphs, the young Barcelona academy product continues to reach new heights with each passing month.

This time around, he has added a massive award to his ever-growing collection of accolades. As highlighted by Mundo Deportivo, the La Masia prodigy has now won the 2024 Kopa Trophy at the annual Ballon d’Or ceremony that was held at Paris, France.

Awarded to the most outstanding Under-21 player in the world over the last year, this award going to Lamine Yamal goes on to show just how recognized the young player is now for his achievements and meteoric rise over the course of the previous year. Interestingly, he has so far been even better in this ongoing campaign.

His contenders included the likes of fellow Barcelona teammate Pau Cubarsi, Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, Girona forward Savinho, and Real Madrid youngster Arda Guler. Ultimately, it was the 17-year-old Barcelona forward who ended up winning the award and consequently became the youngest to ever do so.

After being awarded the trophy, the youngster made sure to thank all of the people and things that helped and motivated him through his journey so far:

“It’s an honor for me; I want to thank my mother, my father, and my grandmother, who have always helped me… Also my teammates, the Barça and national team staff, Luis de la Fuente, Xavi, and Hansi. Visca el Barça and capital 304.”

The next challenge up next for Yamal will be the Golden Boy award, one that he is also the favorite for, as well as a future Ballon d’Or. He already seems to be aiming for such an award, and given the way he has been excelling so far in his career, it seems to be a matter of time rather than a matter of if it is even going to happen.