Ballon d'Or 2022: Barcelona midfielder Gavi wins Kopa Trophy ahead of Bukayo Saka and Jude Bellingham
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ByEurosport
Updated 17/10/2022 at 19:30 GMT
Ahead of the Ballon d'Or prize winners being announced, Barcelona midfielder Gavi has been presented the Kopa Trophy at a lavish ceremony at Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France. The Kopa Trophy is awarded to the top performing player under the age of 21, and has been won by the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Matthijs de Ligt and Pedri since its inception in 2018.
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Gavi has won the Kopa Trophy which is awarded to the best performing player under the age of 21.
Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe, Bayern Munich's Matthijs de Ligt and Pedri are previous winners of the prestigious award, but it is the latter's Barcelona team-mate who has scooped up the reward this year.
After picking up the prize off his team-mate Pedri, the Spain international said: "It's an honour to receive this prize and to all the people who have been there in the good and bad times. Thanks to all of those who have played a part in helping me to this award.
"I try to give the best of myself at all times. I try to carry myself in the best way."
Pedri said: "For me I'm very proud to see Gavi pick up the prize. I hope we get to keep playing together for many years more as well."
When the pair were asked which one of them is Xavi and who is Andres Iniesta, Gavi said: "I'm not too fixated on Xavi and Iniesta, I'm focussed on what I can do."
Gavi was a mainstay for Barcelona in the 2021-22 season, making a total of 48 appearances across all competitions. His impressive performance saw him be a part of the 10-man shortlist announced in August.
The midfielder only turned 18 in August, but has already earned 12 caps for Spain and is tipped to have a hugely successful career.
Spain's youngest ever goalscorer has fought off competition from the likes of Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham and Karim Adeyemi, Paris Saint-Germain's Nuno Mendes and Arsenal's Bukayo Saka.
KOPA TROPHY RANKINGS
- 10. Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen)
- 9. Karim Adeyemi (Borussia Dortmund)
- 8. Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
- =6: Ryan Gravenberch (Bayern Munich)
- =6: Josko Gvardiol (RB Leipzig)
- 5. Nuno Mendes (PSG)
- 4. Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund)
- 3. Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich)
- 2. Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid)
- 1. Gavi (Barcelona)
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