Karim Benzema’s Kopa Trophy Vote Highlights Lamine Yamal’s Historic Run
Karim Benzema has placed Lamine Yamal at the top of his ballot for the 2026 Kopa Trophy, offering another sign of the Barcelona forward’s standing among football’s most influential figures. The French striker, captain of Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad and the 2022 Ballon d’Or winner, also included Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsí and Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi in his top three.
Voting details published by France Football and reported by French outlet Foot Mercato show that Benzema ranked Yamal first, Cubarsí second and Bouaddi third. His selection of Bouaddi gave the Moroccan talent a place among the former Ballon d’Or winner’s leading choices in a competition that celebrates the best young footballer under the age of 21.
Benzema’s picks closely reflected the final result
Benzema’s ballot largely mirrored the eventual podium. Yamal finished first, Cubarsí took second place and France midfielder Warren Zaïre-Emery completed the top three. While Benzema preferred Bouaddi to Zaïre-Emery, his first two selections matched the final order’s leading names.
The result underlined the strength of Barcelona’s emerging generation. Yamal and Cubarsí have become prominent figures for the club despite their age, with the forward’s attacking influence and the defender’s composure attracting attention well beyond Spain. Their presence at the top of the Kopa Trophy rankings reflects not only individual promise but also the growing impact of young players in elite football.
Yamal makes Kopa Trophy history
At 19, Yamal has added another landmark to an already remarkable career by becoming the first player to win the Kopa Trophy three times in a row. The award recognises outstanding young talent, but a third consecutive triumph sets him apart from previous winners and reinforces his position as one of the defining players of his generation.
Yamal’s achievement is especially notable because the Kopa Trophy is decided by a distinguished group of voters: former Ballon d’Or winners. Among them is Lionel Messi, who has won the senior award eight times. That voting panel brings considerable experience to the decision, weighing a young player’s ability, influence and performances against a field of rising stars from across the game.
Winning the prize repeatedly is no small task. Young footballers can face changing roles, increased expectations and intense attention as their reputations grow. Yamal has continued to perform under that spotlight, maintaining his place among Europe’s most closely watched talents while collecting another major individual honour.
A competitive top ten showcases football’s next generation
The final top ten also featured a varied group of prospects from across European football. Lennart Karl, Yan Diomande, Ayyoub Bouaddi, Elie Junior Kroupi, Kerim Alajbegović, Ibrahim Maza and Johan Manzambi joined Yamal, Cubarsí and Zaïre-Emery among the leading finishers.
The list highlights how widely the next wave of talent is distributed. Established clubs and developing sides alike are giving young players opportunities to compete at senior level, while their performances are increasingly judged on more than potential alone. Consistency, decision-making and the ability to influence important matches can all shape a player’s standing in awards such as the Kopa Trophy.
Bouaddi’s inclusion in Benzema’s top three is one detail worth noting. The Lille midfielder may not have finished on the official podium, but recognition from a former Ballon d’Or winner adds to the attention surrounding his progress. Such votes can help bring wider visibility to emerging players, particularly those who are still building their profiles outside Europe’s most heavily followed teams.
What Yamal’s win means for Barcelona and the sport
For Barcelona, Yamal’s latest success is another source of pride and a reminder of the club’s ability to develop young talent. Individual awards do not guarantee future success, but repeated recognition can strengthen a player’s confidence and raise expectations among supporters. The challenge for both the player and the club is to manage that attention while keeping his development on a sustainable path.
For fans following the season, the Kopa Trophy result may also shape predictions about which young footballers could become major contenders for senior honours in the years ahead. Yamal’s record makes him an obvious name to watch, while Cubarsí and the other top-ten finishers offer a reminder that the race for football’s next generation of stars remains open and competitive.
Benzema’s ballot ultimately captured the story of the award: Yamal remains the standout young player, Cubarsí continues to earn recognition alongside him, and rising talents such as Bouaddi are beginning to attract attention from the game’s established stars. With three consecutive Kopa Trophy victories, Yamal has moved beyond being a promising prospect. He is now a historic winner whose performances will continue to shape conversation around Barcelona, European football and the future of the sport.
