Gavi wins 2022 Kopa Trophy: Barcelona star was 'guided' by Pedri at ceremony | OneFootball

Barcelona midfielder Pablo ‘Gavi’ Gavira is the fourth winner of the Kopa Trophy.

The accolade – named after Real Madrid legend Raymond Kopa – was created in 2018 and is handed to the best performing footballer under the age of 21.

Each recipient of the sought-after award is selected by a panel of former Ballon d’Or winners and unlike the Ballon d’Or, the Kopa Trophy is open to those who’re playing outside of Europe.

Who did Gavi beat to win the 2022 Kopa Trophy?

Gavi, who is somehow still only 18 years of age, pipped Real Madrid starlet Eduardo Camavinga and Bayern Munich baller Jamal Musiala to the award after a fantastic year at both club and international level.

Borussia Dortmund maestro Jude Bellingham had to settle for fourth place in the voting, with Paris Saint-Germain's Nuno Mendes making up the top five.

Arsenal's Bukayo Saka finished eighth and was surprisingly the only Premier League player to feature in the top 10.

After receiving the beautiful trophy from Ronaldo Nazario, Gavi - who recently signed a new long-term contract at Barcelona - said: "It's an honor to receive this award.

"I want to thank Barcelona, the coaches and my teammates.

“I'm here today for them. I always try to give my best and I try to carry it in the best way."

One teammate in particular that Gavi will be thankful for is Pedri, who won the Kopa Trophy in 2021.

Pedri attended Monday's Ballon d'Or ceremony in Paris and before Spanish colleague Gavi received his prize, he helped guide him through a red carpet photoshoot.

Gavi looked as if he had no idea what was going on while stood in front of the cameras and asked Pedri for a little bit of help.

Needless to say, his partner-in-crime with both Barcelona and Spain obliged.

Check out the rather heartwarming footage of the pair which is doing the rounds on social media...

Video: Pedri 'guided' his young teammate Gavi during Ballon d'Or ceremony

You just love to see it. As soon as Gavi received the advice from Pedri, the teenage sensation went straight into 'pose mode'.

Even though he had to be silently shown the ropes by his close friend, Gavi's first red carpet experience was certainly one to remember.

The sky's the limit for the La Masia graduate and if he avoids injury over the next couple of weeks while on club duty, the midfielder will have a huge part to play for Spain at the Qatar World Cup.

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The 2018 winner - easy peasy

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