Paris hosted the annual gala for world football’s top honours, where Lamine Yamal of Barcelona was crowned the best young player of the year. The 18-year-old winger received the prestigious Kopa Trophy, awarded to the standout footballer under the age of 21.

The Catalan prodigy made history by becoming the first player ever to win the award twice, underlining his rapid rise as one of the game’s brightest talents.

Yamal is also among the frontrunners in the race for the 2025 Ballon d’Or, a testament to his growing status on the world stage.