Just 11 days ago, the young football sensation Lamine Yamal was crowned the best Under-21 player in the world, capturing the coveted Kopa Trophy.
Yet, the voting process for this prestigious award unveiled an intriguing twist: one past Ballon d’Or winner chose to leave Yamal out of the top spot. The buzz around this year’s selection was palpable as former Ballon d’Or winners cast their votes, evaluating the most promising young talents in global football.
One of the most eyebrow-raising choices came from none other than Ronaldo Nazário, the legendary Brazilian striker who took home the Ballon d’Or in 1997 and 2002. In a move that surprised many, Ronaldo placed Manchester City’s rising star Savinho at the top of his ballot, skipping over Yamal, who was widely expected to be a unanimous first choice. The voting system itself is straightforward: a first-place vote earns a player five points, a second-place three points, and a third-place one point.
The overall outcome was clear, though—Yamal dominated the voting, securing first place in 22 out of 23 ballots, according to L’Equipe. But one name that stood out in the voting results was Dutch legend Marco van Basten. Known for his sharp football acumen, Van Basten opted for a different approach, placing two Manchester United youngsters among his top three: Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo. He ranked Garnacho as second and Mainoo third, showcasing his faith in the youth talent cultivated under Erik ten Hag’s management.
It wasn’t just Van Basten who recognized Garnacho’s potential. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Lionel Messi, and Karim Benzema were among the esteemed names who also included the Argentine winger on their ballots, albeit in the third spot. Despite this, Garnacho’s overall presence in the voting was limited; he was selected by only three voters other than Van Basten.
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Kobbie Mainoo, another United prodigy, secured an impressive third place overall with 20 points, trailing only behind Yamal (113 points) and Real Madrid’s Arda Guler (26 points). The teenage midfielder has been making waves at Old Trafford, and this recognition from top football figures signals the bright future that awaits him. Legendary names like Gianni Rivera, Ruud Gullit, Matthias Sammer, and Michael Owen all ranked Mainoo as their second pick, solidifying his status as one to watch.
Kaka, Andrei Shevchenko, and Pavel Nedved also cast votes that placed Mainoo in third, adding more weight to the widespread belief in his potential. Meanwhile, some notable figures such as Denis Law, Kevin Keegan, Michel Platini, Roberto Baggio, George Weah, Zinedine Zidane, and Cristiano Ronaldo did not participate in the voting process this time around.
Yamal’s brilliance this year has been unquestionable. His standout performances for Spain during their successful European Championship campaign against England have solidified his reputation as Europe’s brightest young star. The skillful winger’s consistency and ability to perform on big stages have set him apart from his peers.
Arda Guler also caught the attention of voters with his dazzling displays for Turkey during their deep run in the Euros, coming close to following in the footsteps of Real Madrid stars Kylian Mbappe (2018 winner) and Jude Bellingham (2023 winner). Guler’s journey into the spotlight mirrors the path taken by those who rose to fame with standout tournament performances.
Manchester United fans can take pride in their history of developing top young talent. Although Matthijs de Ligt, now a United player, won the Kopa Trophy in 2019 following Ajax’s Champions League heroics, the club’s latest crop of youngsters—Garnacho and Mainoo—suggests that their pipeline of promising players is as strong as ever.
In the final tally for 2024, Savinho claimed fourth place, while Barcelona’s Pau Cubarsi finished fifth. Paris Saint-Germain’s Warren Zaire-Emery, Bayern Munich’s Mathys Tel, and Red Bull Salzburg’s Karim Konate shared the joint eighth spot. The range of talent showcased in this year’s voting highlights the depth and excitement of the next generation ready to light up the football world.