‘This prize should have been for him’ – Lamine Yamal says Pau Cubarsi deserved Kopa Trophy

Lamine Yamal believes Barcelona team-mate Pau Cubarsi deserved to win the 2026 Kopa Trophy ahead of him, despite making history by claiming the award for a third consecutive year.

The Barcelona winger made the admission during the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris, where he was named the world’s best young player for an unprecedented third time.

Yamal used his acceptance speech to praise Cubarsi’s performances, arguing that the defender’s consistent displays for Barcelona made him a worthy winner of the individual accolade.

“I would have liked to see my team-mate Cubarsi here because I think this prize should have been for him,” he admitted. “He has been playing at an excellent level for some time.”

His comments offered a striking moment at the ceremony, with the 19-year-old choosing to highlight the contribution of a team-mate rather than focus solely on his own historic achievement.

Yamal backs Cubarsi for individual recognition

Cubarsi has established himself as a key figure in Barcelona’s defence, earning praise for his composure, technical ability and maturity despite his age.

The centre-back’s performances have made him one of the standout young defenders in European football, with his ability to remain calm under pressure helping him become an important part of the Catalan club’s backline.

Yamal believes those displays deserved greater recognition, making a point of acknowledging Cubarsi during his speech after collecting the trophy.

The winger’s endorsement also highlighted the strength of Barcelona’s emerging generation, with both players playing important roles in the club’s plans.

While Yamal has attracted widespread attention for his creativity and attacking influence, Cubarsi has impressed with his defensive discipline and ability to contribute to Barcelona’s build-up play.

The Kopa Trophy recognises the best player aged under 21, making Cubarsi eligible for the award alongside some of the most promising talents in world football.

Third consecutive Kopa Trophy for Yamal

Despite his belief that Cubarsi deserved the honour, Yamal extended his remarkable run by becoming the first player to win the Kopa Trophy three times in succession.

The Spain international has enjoyed a rapid rise since breaking into Barcelona’s senior team, establishing himself as one of the most exciting young players in the game.

His performances for club and country have earned him widespread recognition, while his latest triumph further strengthens his growing collection of individual accolades.

“It is an honour to be here and receive this prize,” the winger said. “This is my third year up here for this prize. I would like to thank my club and my national team.”

The achievement underlines Yamal’s consistency at the highest level and his ability to maintain an exceptional standard despite the expectations surrounding his career.

Ballon d’Or remains the bigger target

Yamal also made his ambitions clear during a light-hearted exchange with former France international Thierry Henry at the ceremony.

Henry noted that the winger was receiving the Kopa Trophy for the third time before asking whether it was the award he had really wanted to win.

“It’s your third one right? But is it the one you really wanted to win?”

Yamal responded bluntly: “No.”

His answer drew laughter from the audience, suggesting that while he appreciates the recognition, his ambitions extend beyond being the world’s best young player.

The Barcelona star will now look to compete for the senior Ballon d’Or as he continues his development.

However, his remarks about Cubarsi provided one of the ceremony’s notable moments, with Yamal making it clear that he believes his Barcelona team-mate deserved to share in the spotlight.