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.
Former footballer Thierry Henry has shared his thoughts on Arsenal’s match following their loss to Atlético Madrid on October 13.
Speaking during a brief interview on CBS Sports, Henry criticised the practice of players or coaches expressing certain opinions through the media instead of addressing issues directly within the dressing room.
“I’m not a coach anymore, but I always say, whoever speaks like that, out. Keep that in the dressing room, it’s as simple as that,” Henry said on CBS Sports.
“That is the only way it can work. You have to say those things to a person’s face… going through the press, I am not really a fan of that.”
Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique has shared his thoughts on the 2026 Ballon d’Or award, revealing that he hopes the winner will come from his team.
The manager spoke about how hard his players have worked and expressed his belief that they deserve the recognition.
“What I hope is that we win this trophy. We have players who deserve it.”
“Last year, we were the best team. We showed that it wasn’t just Ousmane Dembélé who deserved it.”
French football pundit Walid Acherchour has named Lamine Yamal as his pick to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or, sparking reactions among football fans.
Acherchour’s choice came as a surprise to some fans, who expected him to support fellow Frenchman Kylian Mbappé instead.
Speaking about his prediction, Acherchour expressed confidence in Yamal’s chances of winning the prestigious individual award.
“For me, Lamine Yamal, he is going to get it [2026 Ballon d’Or]. For me, there’s no doubt anymore,” Acherchour said, as quoted by Actu Foot. That start to the season shows that in fact, he was injured during the World Cup. He was the best player in La Liga, and he won the World Cup.
“Even if, for me, in fact, he doesn’t have the Ballon d’Or unanimously because his World Cup was average, even being average, he won it with Spain. He won La Liga with Barça.”
Judge Tells Duane Davis He Must Face Justice for Tupac’s Murder
Timini Egbuson Reflects on Embracing YouTube Movies in Nollywood
