Ballon d'Or 2022: Barca's Gavi Wins Kopa Trophy

Barcelona midfielder Gavi has been announced the winner of the Kopa trophy at the ongoing Ballon d'Or ceremony.

The Kopa trophy is given to the best player under the age of 21 in 2022. That is the award that has been given to Gavi at this year's Ballon d'Or gala.

The award was given to Gavi both real plague and the NFT format of the trophy.

He was on stage with teammate Pedri who won the last edition of the award.

NFT version of the Kopa Trophy! ?

Learn more at https://t.co/5fz0531TYP#tropheekopa #ballondor pic.twitter.com/IjBezSDzyP

— Ballon d'Or #ballondor (@francefootball) October 17, 2022

The 18-year-old received the prize after an excellent season in 2021/22 in which he became a fixture in the Blaugrana midfield. 

The Spaniard arrived at the Club to join the youth teams but soon his talent and character led him to the first team where this season's Kopa Trophy in recognition of his arrival amongst the world's footballing elite. 

In 47 matches, Gavi scored six goals and created five assists over the whole campaign, enough to earn him the Kopa Trophy for 2022. 

A prize decided by the greats

The magazine France Football introduced the Kopa Trophy four years ago for the best player under the age of 21. The prize is named after the French footballer Raymond Kopa, the first man to win the Ballon d'Or. Previous winners include Kylian Mbappé, Matthijs de Ligt and Gavi's Barça teammate Pedri, who took the trophy in 2021. 

The winner of the Kopa Trophy is chosen by a special jury comprising of former Ballon d'Or winners with the likes of Leo Messi, Ronaldinho, Franz Beckenbauer and Rivaldo also taking part in selecting the best young player for the season.