Lamine Yamal says Cubarsi should have won his Kopa Trophy
After a forgettable El Clasico defeat, Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal made history by winning his third consecutive Kopa Trophy at the 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony in London on Monday. But the 19 year old surprised everyone by admitting that his Barcelona and Spain teammate Pau Cubarsi deserved the award more than him. Yamal became the first player to win the prestigious award for the world's best…
Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal claimed victory at the 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony in London, becoming the first player to win the Kopa Trophy three times. However, the 19-year-old admitted that his teammate Pau Cubarsi deserved the award more than himself. This was an unexpected turn of events, as Yamal had previously won the award in 2024 and 2025.
Rather than celebrating his own accomplishment, Yamal shifted the focus to Cubarsi's outstanding performances. He expressed his desire to see Cubarsi receive the prize, believing that he had been playing at an excellent level for some time. Yamal praised Cubarsi's contributions to Barcelona and Spain, highlighting his crucial role in Spain's successful 2026 World Cup campaign.
Despite his own individual success, Yamal emphasized the strong bond between Barcelona and its academy, La Masia, which consistently produces top talent.
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