Ballon d’Or 2025: Complete list of candidates and nominees for the Kopa Trophy for the best young player

As a prelude to the Ballon d’Or, France Football has announced the names of the nominees in both the men’s and women’s categories for the Kopa Trophy - the award given to the best player under the age of 21 during the past season.

Among the candidates for the men’s award is last year’s winner Lamine Yamal, if he is successful again this year, the Barcelona star would become the first player to lift the trophy twice. He is also among the nominees for the big prize, the Ballon d’Or.

European champions Paris Saint-Germain have two players in contention - both midfielders: Désiré Doué, who recently picked up the UNFP Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year award and João Neves, who made 29 appearances and scored three goals in his debut season under Luis Enrique.

Two players from the Premier League make the list. It’s been a great year for Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly, who gained his first cap for England and became the youngest England player to score on his senior debut, in the 2-0 win against Albania in March.

Dean Huijsen had an outstanding season for Bournemouth, and impressed Real Madrid enough to stump up his $67.6 million buy-out, handing the defender a five-year deal in May.

The big favorites are Désiré Doué and Lamine Yamal.

Spain versus England for the women’s trophy

In the women’s category, two players who took part in this year’s Women’s Euro 2025 final between England and Spain figure among the five nominees. Arsenal forward Michelle Agyemang was part of the team that was crowned champions while Barça midfielder Vicky López was with runners-up, Spain although neither were involved in the shootout that decided the match. Vicky became the youngest player to debut for the Spain senior side in the 3-0 Nations League win over the Netherlands in March 2024, aged 17 years, 6 months, and 27 days.

Also nominated is Real Madrid player Linda Caicedo, who shone for Real Madrid and Colombia, Wieke Kaptein (Netherlands), and Claudia Martinez Ovando (Paraguay).

When is the 2025 Ballon d’Or?

The 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony will be held at Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, France on Sunday 22 September 2025.

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