Yamal wins Kopa Trophy again – but says Cubarsi ‘deserved’ it

For the third year in a row, Lamine Yamal has been named the world’s best young player at the Ballon d’Or ceremony.

Yamal – who is also in contention for the main Ballon d’Or award – said that he wished Barcelona and Spain team-mate Pau Cubarsi had won instead.

Yamal was a critical figure in Barcelona’s La Liga title defence, and he helped Spain win the World Cup in the summer – his second major international success with his nation, aged just 19.

“It’s an honour to be here and receive this prize,” Yamal said.

“I would have liked Cubarsi my team-mate to be here, because I think this prize should have been for him. He deserved it.

“He’s been playing at an excellent level for some time, and I wish he had won this tonight. This is my third year up here for this prize, and I’m very grateful for this.

“I would like to thank my club and my national team, and I’ll continue working to win these collective and individual prizes.”

Cubarsi, also 19, has joined Yamal as a standout star from the club’s La Masia academy. The centre-back was a mainstay in Hansi Flick’s side last season, making 48 appearances, and went on to play a critical role in Spain’s World Cup success.

Playing every minute of the tournament for Luis de la Fuente’s side, Cubarsi was the recipient of the FIFA Young Player Award, as part of a defence which conceded just once in eight matches.

The defender was also among the 30 shortlisted players for the main Ballon d’Or award, and finished 12th in the final rankings.

Cubarsi has established himself as one of the best defenders in world football, but it was instead Yamal who was presented the Kopa Trophy – which recognises the world’s best player under the age of 21 – again.

It is an unprecedented feat for Yamal, with no other player in the world having won the award twice, let alone three times.

He recorded 24 goals and 18 assists in 45 appearances for Barcelona last season as he won his third La Liga title with the Catalan club, alongside the Spanish Supercup.

Since making his debut for Barca aged 15, Yamal has made 164 appearances for the Catalan club, recording 59 goals and 62 assists.