‎Lamine Yamal Makes History as First-Ever Two-Time Kopa Trophy Winner

By: Shawn
‎Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal has cemented his place in football history by becoming the first player to win the Kopa Trophy twice. The prestigious award, given to the best-performing male player under the age of 21, had never been retained until Yamal’s triumph at the 2025 ceremony.
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‎Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal becomes the first player to win the Kopa Trophy twice, following a treble-winning season and standout performances in 2025.
‎Getty Images
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‎The 18-year-old attacker first collected the honor in 2024 after playing a key role in Spain’s victorious European Championship campaign. His influence only grew in the following season as he became the creative leader of Hansi Flick’s Barcelona side. Yamal guided the Catalan club to a domestic treble, lifting La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup, all secured against archrivals Real Madrid.
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‎Yamal’s contribution was decisive, as he recorded 18 goals and 25 assists across all competitions. His pace, dribbling, and relentless attacking threat made him one of the most feared players in world football. Inter Milan players underlined his impact when six of them, covering different positions on the pitch, unanimously named Yamal as their toughest opponent of the season ahead of the 2025 Champions League final.
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‎Barcelona’s journey in Europe ended at the semifinal stage against Inter, but Yamal still stood out. He attempted 38 dribbles across the two-legged tie, surpassing Raphinha’s total of 37 dribbles over the entire 2024–25 Champions League campaign.
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‎The Kopa Trophy stands apart from the Ballon d’Or as it is voted on by former Ballon d’Or winners rather than journalists. Past recipients include Kylian Mbappé in 2018, Matthijs de Ligt in 2019, Pedri in 2021, Gavi in 2022, and Jude Bellingham in 2023. Yet none of these prodigies had ever managed to claim the award twice, a feat now uniquely achieved by Yamal.

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