Favourites for 2024 Kopa Trophy - ranked
- Jude Bellingham unsurprisingly won the 2023 Kopa Trophy for players under 21
- The likes of Jamal Musiala, Pedri and Gavi were all nominated as well
- Next year's Kopa Trophy will be fiercely contested between some of the world's best youngsters
In all the hysteria of the Ballon d'Or, it can sometimes be easy to forget the award's baby brother - the Kopa trophy.
Handed out to the best player under the age of 21 in world football, with the triumphant prodigy selected by former Ballon d'Or winners, the Kopa Trophy rewards the planet's most impactful wonderkids.
This year's award was won by Real Madrid starlet Jude Bellingham, with nominees including the likes of Jamal Musiala, Pedri and Rasmus Hojlund.
With a number of the 2023 Kopa Trophy nominees unable to win next year given they will be aged out of contention, who could win the 2024 award?
Favourites for 2024 Kopa Trophy
8. Giorgio Scalvini
Disregarding any players who are currently 20 or over, Giorgio Scalvini could be one of the few centre-backs in the running for the 2024 Kopa Trophy. Only once has a defender won the award since its inception in 2018 - Matthijs De Ligt after his performances with Ajax and Juventus in 2019.
The Atalanta youngster has been impressive since breaking into Gian Piero Gasperini's side and has been rewarded with seven senior caps for the Italian national team, facing England recently in Euro 2024 qualifying.
The 19-year-old has been praised for his composure and attitude at such a young age, but, let's be honest, these awards normally favour attacking players.
7. Arthur Vermeeren
Arthur Vermeeren's visibility for such an accolade depends almost entirely on him making a move to one of Europe's elite in January, or at the latest next summer.
The Belgian holding midfielder has been linked with almost every top club, with Arsenal, Manchester City and Barcelona all touted with an interest in the Royal Antwerp youngster.
At just 18 years old, Vermeeren has already amassed 53 appearances for last season's Jupiler Pro League title winners, as well as earning his first Belgium cap earlier this campaign.
Vermeeren is also the third youngest player to supply two or more assists in a Champions League game in the competition's history, doing so in a 3-2 defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk.
6. Romeo Lavia
As Romeo Lavia nears his first Chelsea appearance, it may seem crazy to put him in line for next season's Kopa Trophy. However, it's easy to forget just how impressive the Belgian was at Southampton last season and he could continue to blossom under Mauricio Pochettino when fit.
The 19-year-old still has approximately a year to put his name in contention to succeed Bellingham at the 2024 ceremony, but he needs some regular minutes under his belt this season.
5. Mathys Tel
The only thing standing in Mathys Tel's path is a certain Harry Kane. The 18-year-old has had to act as the England captain's understudy this season, but the former Tottenham Hotspur man is not a bad number nine to learn from.
Tel has been electric when coming on as a super sub this season, scoring six goals despite starting on just three occasions.
The French forward has all the attributes needed to become a world-beater with Bayern Munich, racking up 43 appearances already for the Bavarians, but he may need a little more time in the starting lineup to realise his potential.
4. Evan Ferguson
The Brighton centre-forward has been a breath of fresh air in the Premier League, another wonderkid that the Seagulls have plucked from thin air.
The Irish striker already has 19 goal contributions for the south coast side and is now enjoying Europa League football and regular starts in the English top flight.
Ferguson has also been linked with more 'glamorous' moves to the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United, perhaps thrusting him further into the limelight and capturing the attention of those Ballon d'Or-winning judges.
3. Lamine Yamal
It's been a meteoric rise to fame at Barcelona for 16-year-old Lamine Yamal, bursting onto the scene in Catalonia with some eye-catching performances.
Yamal has plenty of opportunities to win the award in the coming years but could become the youngest player to do so in 2024. The speedy winger is pure box office and exhibits exactly the kind of qualities that tend to curry favour on awards night.
The Spaniard, who became the youngest player to feature and score for his country earlier this year, has already made 14 appearances for Xavi's side this season, with many more outings to come.
2. Warren Zaire-Emery
For all the superstars that Paris Saint-Germain have bought in recent years for eye-watering sums, they don't half produce some world-class talent in the French capital.
The latest off the conveyor belt is Warren Zaire-Emery, who already feels as if he's been around for quite some time despite being just 17 years old. That's probably because he is rapidly approaching half a century of appearances for PSG and continues to thrive under Luis Enrique this season.
Much like Yamal, Zaire-Emery has plenty of time to claim at least one Kopa Trophy, but there is little to suggest he couldn't do so next winter.
1. Gavi
The only member of this year's nominees able to win the award next year is Gavi. The Barcelona prodigy finished fifth in the rankings but is likely to finish much higher in 2024.
The 19-year-old has been in brilliant form this season, putting in a wonderful display in El Clasico against Real Madrid recently, and continues to thrive for the Catalan giants.
The Masia product is one of a number of midfielders who could be up for next year's Kopa Trophy, but he already has the experience of a player way beyond his years.
Good luck stopping Gavi in 2024.
READ MORE ON THE 2023 BALLON D'OR WINNERS
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