Lionel Messi, forward and captain of American club Inter Miami and the Argentine national team, voted for 17-year-old winger Lamine Yamal of Barcelona and the Spanish national team for the Kopa Trophy – an award for the best young player of the year according to France Football.
Notably, the young Spanish talent won the award.
Messi ranked Barcelona and Spain defender Pau Cubarsí in second place and Manchester United midfielder Alejandro Garnacho, his teammate in the Argentine national team, in third.
Yamal is a product of Barcelona's famous La Masia academy. He has been playing for the first team since July 2023, making 67 appearances, scoring 13 goals and providing 17 assists.
His contract with Barcelona runs until the end of June 2026, and Transfermarkt estimates his market value at €150 million.
Earlier, Lamine Yamal commented on the frequent comparisons to Lionel Messi.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta revealed that the club rejected a €250 million offer for the 17-year-old winger.