The Kopa Trophy: The 10 Outstanding Players Up for Nomination

Check out the 10 nominees for the prestigious ‘France Football’ Kopa Trophy, which recognizes the best young player in the world for the 2022/23 season.

Since 2018, the Kopa Trophy has been awarded by ‘France Football’ magazine to the most outstanding player under the age of 21. Just like the Ballon d’Or, this accolade holds great significance in the football world.

The winner of the Kopa Trophy is decided by a select jury composed exclusively of Ballon d’Or winners. The nominees are carefully chosen by the editorial team at France Football, along with members from ‘L’Equipe’ and previous jury members, including the renowned Ballon d’Or ambassador, Didier Drogba.

To be eligible for nomination, a player must have participated in more than half of their club’s matches during the season and be no older than 21 on the 31st of July.

In the previous season, Barcelona’s Gavi emerged as the winner, following in the footsteps of his teammate Pedri, who claimed the title the year before. Both of these exceptional Barcelona players are once again in contention for the coveted title of the best young player in the world for the 2022/23 season.

Among the favorites for the award are Eduardo Camavinga, the French runner-up, and his teammate Jude Bellingham from Real Madrid, as well as the rising star Jamal Musiala from Bayern Munich.

Here are the 10 nominees for the ‘France Football’ Kopa Trophy for the best young player of the 2022/23 season:

– Jude Bellingham (ENG, Borussia Dortmund/Real Madrid)
– Alejandro Balde (SPA, FC Barcelona)
– Eduardo Camavinga (FRA, Real Madrid)
– Gavi (SPA, FC Barcelona)
– Rasmus Hojlund (DEN, Atalanta/Manchester United)
– Jamal Musiala (GER, Bayern Munich)
– Pedri (SPA, FC Barcelona)
– Antonio Silva (POR, Benfica)
– Xavi Simons (NETH, PSV/RB Leipzig)
– Elye Wahi (FRA, Montpellier/RC Lens)

Stay tuned to see who will be crowned as the best young player in the world!

(Source: Twitter – September 6, 2023)