Lamine Yamal headlined the nominees for the men’s Ballon d’Or Kopa Trophy for the best player under the age of 21.
The names were announced this morning with the Barcelona winger joined on the 10-man shortlist by Barca team-mate Pau Cubarsi and Real Madrid centre-half Dean Huijsen, who moved to the Santiago Bernabéu this summer from Bournemouth.
Arsenal full-back Myles Lewis-Skelly is included, as is Chelsea new boy Estevao Willian and PSG duo Desire Doue and Joao Neves.
Yamal is the overwhelming favourite to retain the trophy, however, after a wonderful season that saw him continue his emergence for club and country. The 18-year-old was one of Barca’s main contributors as they won a league and cup double under Hansi Flick.
England star Michelle Agyemang is among the five women’s nominees.
Agyemang played a key role in the Lionesses’ successful defence of their European Championship crown with a number of major contributions off the bench in Switzerland.
When and where is the 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony?
The ceremony will be a glitzy affair, staged at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris on September 22.
