-
Kopa Trophy 2023: Nominees revealed for Ballon d’Or’s Best Young Player award.
The 2023 Kopa Trophy nominees for the Ballon d’Or’s top young player award have been unveiled. Among the contenders are the reigning champion, Gavi, and the Real Madrid sensation, Jude Bellingham. The Kopa Trophy is an accolade presented annually as part of the Ballon d’Or ceremony, recognizing the most outstanding player under 21 years of age.
Gavi represents one of the three Barcelona players in the running for the award, alongside full-back Alejandro Balde and the 2021 victor, Pedri. Their exceptional contributions played a pivotal role in guiding Barcelona to their first La Liga championship in four years.
Most likely, someone from the other side of the Clasico split will get the award. After a spectacular season at Borussia Dortmund, Bellingham was signed by Real Madrid for a record £85 million plus add-ons throughout the summer. The England international has made an immediate impact, scoring five goals in his first four La Liga games.
The midfielder is now largely regarded as one of the top players in the world, not only among the best young players but among all footballers.
Bellingham is joined by fellow Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga in being nominated for the award, with the rest of the nominees coming from across four different European leagues.
Manchester United’s recent acquisition, Rasmus Hojlund, who was signed for an initial £64 million from Atalanta, is the sole representative from the Premier League on the list of nominees.
Meanwhile, Elye Wahi from Lens represents Ligue 1, the skilful defender Antonio Silva represents Benfica and the Primeira Liga, and the Bundesliga is represented by Xavi Simons, currently on loan at RB Leipzig from Paris Saint-Germain, and Jamal Musiala from Bayern Munich, rounding out the list of nominees.
Kopa Tophy 2023 nominees
- Jude Bellingham – Borussia Dortmund/Real Madrid
- Alejandro Balde – Barcelona
- Eduardo Camavinga – Real Madrid
- Gavi – Barcelona
- Rasmus Hojlund – Atalanta/Manchester United
- Jamal Musiala – Bayern Munich
- Pedri – Barcelona
- Xavi Simons – PSV Eindhoven/RB Leipzig
- Antonio Silva – Benfica
- Elye Wahi – Montpellier/Lens
When is the Kopa Trophy 2023 winner announced?
The Kopa Trophy will be presented to the top young player in Europe on October 30 during an event at Paris, France’s Theatre du Chatelet.
Here are all of the 2023 Kopa Trophy nominees
🏴 Jude Bellingham @realmadrid
🇪🇸 Gavi @FCBarcelona
🇩🇪 Jamal Musiala @FCBayern
🇫🇷 Eduardo Camavinga @realmadrid
🇪🇸 Pedri @FCBarcelona
🇳🇱 Xavi Simons @RBLeipzig
🇪🇸 Alejandro Balde @FCBarcelona
🇵🇹 Antonio Silva @SLBenfica
🇩🇰… pic.twitter.com/0MDlU5M6hp— Ballon d'Or (@ballondor) September 6, 2023