Yamal turns Kopa Trophy speech into tribute to Barcelona team-mate Cubarsi

Lamine Yamal used his third successive Kopa Trophy victory to praise Barcelona team-mate Pau Cubarsi, saying he wished the defender had been present because he deserved to win the award.

The 19-year-old Barcelona forward collected the prize for the best player under 21 at the Ballon d’Or ceremony in London on Monday, adding another individual honour to an already exceptional career.

Yamal retained the award ahead of a group of Europe’s leading young players, underlining his continued development and growing influence for both Barcelona and Spain.

“It is a great honour for me to be here today and to receive this award,” Yamal said after accepting the trophy. “This is the third year, and I am extremely happy to continue winning these awards.”

His speech then turned to Cubarsi, who was not at the ceremony.

“The first thing I want to say is that I wish my team-mate Pau Cubarsi had been here with us tonight, because I believe this award should have gone to him,” Yamal said.

“He truly deserves it. He has been producing outstanding performances for a long time, and I really wish he had been the winner of this award.”

Yamal also thanked Barcelona, the Spain national team and the people who had helped him reach this stage of his career. He said he remained determined to pursue further success rather than settle for what he had already achieved.

“I want to thank my club, my national team and everyone who helped me get here,” he added. “Now I have to keep working hard in an attempt to win more team trophies and individual awards like this one.”

The award followed a notable season for Yamal with Barcelona and Spain, during which he played an important part in the achievements of both sides through his technical ability and performances in significant matches.

At international level, Yamal helped Spain win the 2026 World Cup. Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in the final to secure another major milestone in his international career.

With Barcelona, he contributed to victories in La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup during the 2025-26 season. His influence continued to grow as he became an important part of the club’s plans for the future.

The latest Kopa Trophy takes Yamal’s collection of individual honours to another level, while he continues to combine personal recognition with the pursuit of further collective success for Barcelona and Spain.

Barcelona are scheduled to face Deportivo Alaves in La Liga on 31 October 2026. Yamal is also listed among Spain’s players for the Nations League – Path A fixture against Czechia on 12 November 2026.