Messi chose Yamal in the vote for the best young player

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi has chosen Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal as the winner of the Raymond Kopa Trophy (best young player under 21), according to Sports Illustrated. Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo abstained from voting.

Unlike the Ballon d'Or, the winner of the Copa del Rey is not chosen by journalists, but by former Ballon d'Or winners: this year, 27 footballers took part in the voting. The vast majority of voters, including Messi, Modric, Zidane, Benzema and Kaka, put the Barcelona player in first place.

Only Roberto Baggio, Ruud Gullit and Pavel Nedved chose Desiree over Yamal. This year, the Women's Spanish Cup was also awarded to Barcelona's Vicky Lopez for the first time.