Ballon d'Or: Cubarsi should have won it — Yamal unhappy with Kopa trophy

Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal claimed his third consecutive Kopa trophy for the best young player in the world but immediately told the organisers his teammate, Pau Cubarsi, should have won it.

In 2025, the 19-year-old became the first player to claim the award twice. After 2004 Ballon d'Or winner Andriy Shevchenko read the card to announce Yamal as the winner, he effectively became the first and only player to win three consecutive Kopa trophies.

After receiving the award, the Spaniard expressed gratitude to the voters and organisers but stated that his club and national teammate, Cubarsi, would have been a more deserving winner.

Yamal, who is also running for the grand prize, the Men's Player of the Year Award, had initially backed Cubarsi's candidacy when nominations were announced.

Cubarsi, who finished a triumphant World Cup campaign with Spain as the best youngster of the tournament, finished 7th in the Kopa Trophy last year, after which Yamal told him, "The next one is for you."

Despite wearing an appreciative smile, Yamal reiterated at multiple points during his speech that his fellow teenager should have received the majority of the votes.