Lamine Yamal’s impressive performances at Euro 2024, where he played a key role in Spain’s victory, have made him one of the frontrunners for this year’s Kopa Trophy. The young Barcelona star is poised to follow in the footsteps of Jude Bellingham, the 2023 recipient, in winning the prestigious award given to the best footballer under 21. England’s Kobbie Mainoo is also a contender, while Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has been shortlisted for the Yashin Trophy.
Kopa Trophy Contenders
The 2024 Kopa Trophy list includes a talented pool of young footballers. Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho join Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal and Real Madrid’s Arda Guler as nominees. The Kopa Trophy, awarded to the best under-21 player in the world, will be announced during the Ballon d’Or ceremony on October 28, 2024.
Spain’s Yamal has emerged as a standout after helping his country clinch the Euro 2024 title. At just 16, Yamal has already broken multiple records at Barcelona, becoming the club’s youngest-ever starter and goalscorer in La Liga. His achievements at both the club and international levels have cemented him as one of the brightest young talents in football.
Another nominee, Arda Guler of Real Madrid, also made waves during the summer tournament. Guler shone as Turkey reached the quarter-finals of Euro 2024, where he became the first teenager since Cristiano Ronaldo to score on his European Championship debut. His goal in Turkey’s 3-1 victory over Georgia captured the attention of fans and critics alike.
Meanwhile, Manchester United’s Mainoo had a breakthrough season at Old Trafford, which earned him a spot in England’s Euro 2024 squad. The young midfielder now finds himself in the running for the Kopa Trophy, alongside Manchester City’s new signing Savinho, who impressed while on loan at Girona.
2024 Kopa Trophy Nominees:
– Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona)
– Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United)
– Arda Guler (Real Madrid)
– Karim Konate (RB Salzburg)
– Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United)
– Joao Neves (Paris Saint-Germain)
– Savinho (Manchester City)
– Mathys Tel (Bayern Munich)
– Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
– Warren Zaire-Emery (Paris Saint-Germain)
Martinez Nominated for Yashin Trophy Again
Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez is aiming to retain the Yashin Trophy after another year of remarkable success. Martinez, who claimed the award last year after Argentina’s World Cup victory, has continued to shine on the international stage, helping his nation lift the Copa America trophy in 2024.
This year’s Yashin Trophy shortlist also features Spain’s Unai Simon, who was instrumental in his country’s Euro 2024 triumph, and Italy’s Gianluigi Donnarumma, who remains a force between the posts. However, Liverpool’s Alisson Becker did not make the cut for this year’s list.
Ronwen Williams of South Africa is the only nominee from outside Europe. Williams turned heads after saving four penalties in a shootout against Cape Verde in the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals, securing his place on the prestigious shortlist.
2024 Yashin Trophy Nominees:
– Diogo Costa (FC Porto)
– Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain)
– Gregor Kobel (Borussia Dortmund)
– Andriy Lunin (Real Madrid)
– Mike Maignan (AC Milan)
– Giorgi Mamardashvili (Valencia)
– Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa)
– Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao)
– Yann Sommer (Inter Milan)
– Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns)
The battle for these prestigious awards will be decided on October 28, 2024, when football’s finest talents will be recognized at the Ballon d’Or ceremony.
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