Sport
Football Legends Reveal Their Top Young Stars for 2024 Kopa Trophy
The votes cast by legendary footballers Lionel Messi, Ronaldo Nazario, Luka Modric, and Karim Benzema for the prestigious 2024 Kopa Trophy have finally been disclosed, revealing their thoughts on some of the sport’s rising stars.
Recently, Barcelona’s promising youngster, Lamine Yamal, took home the Kopa Trophy, a highly coveted award given to the best young player worldwide.
The 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony, held in Paris, witnessed Yamal’s victory as he outshone Real Madrid’s emerging star Arda Güler.
This recognition has once again reflected the intense competition and rising talent within European football.
The Kopa Trophy, named after French football legend Raymond Kopa, is awarded by France Football, the same organization that handles the Ballon d’Or.
It aims to spotlight young players under 1, focusing on their impact and potential in the game.
As revealed by Fabrizio Romano, Lionel Messi’s vote reflected his admiration for young Barcelona talents, placing Yamal as his top choice.
His ranking was as follows: Lamine Yamal in first, Pau Cubarsi—another Barcelona talent—in second, and Manchester United’s energetic winger Alejandro Garnacho in third.
Similarly, Luka Modric, a key player for Real Madrid and a legend in midfield, cast his vote with Yamal at the top.
His votes placed Güler, the young Real Madrid sensation, second, with Benfica’s João Neves as his third pick.
Karim Benzema, another footballing giant and former Real Madrid star, also placed Yamal first in his vote, followed by Güler and then Garnacho.
Ronaldo Nazario, a two-time Ballon d’Or winner and Brazilian legend, showed his unique perspective by casting his top vote for Atlético Mineiro’s emerging Brazilian talent, Savinho.
He placed Yamal in second and Güler in third.
Ronaldo’s vote reflects his Brazilian pride and his belief in Savinho’s potential to become the next big name from Brazil, alongside his appreciation for the talent emerging in Europe.
Footballer Lamine Yamal speaks on the Ballon d’Or award and shares how he will still be happy if his teammate, Pau Cubarsí, gets the award.
“Last year, for me, Cubarsí was the best young player in the world. Either the Kopa award or the Ballon d’Or should go to him. There’s no difference between us.
“When I won it, I told him that he would be next. If he doesn’t win it for whatever reason, I will give it to him.”
Popular footballer Cristiano Ronaldo speaks on retirement and shares how he actually thought of retiring from international football after the 2026 World Cup.
“I thought about retiring from international football after the World Cup, but I spoke to the president, coach, and I am still here. I am an asset, I can help.”
He adds, “The young kids love me because they see me as an example, and that, for me, is the most important thing. I will continue to do that even when I retire after 10 years.”
Footballer Kylian Mbappé shares that he actually came close to signing with Liverpool.
“I was close to Liverpool. My mum was a big fan of Jurgen Klopp, and the favourite destination for my mum was Liverpool. She wanted me to go there,” Mbappé told The Athletic.
“I didn’t listen because I wanted to play in my city, Paris. I didn’t want to leave my country before I was someone. But yes, my mum was always saying, ‘Liverpool — you’re going to be there, playing at Anfield, it’s going to be insane for you.’ I was like, ‘OK!’
“All the time we were talking. ‘What do you think, Mum?’ She’d say, ‘For me, you have to go to Liverpool.’ I said, ‘OK, OK, OK!’ because Jurgen Klopp was an amazing manager. I met him and had a wonderful relationship with him. I had big respect for him.”
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