Barcelona starlet Pedri has been named the winner of the 2021 Kopa Trophy.
The 19-year-old enjoyed a ridiculous 2021, playing an enormous role for both club and country, racking up an outstanding number of minutes for a player of his age. This made him a leading candidate alongside fellow finalists Mason Greenwood, Jude Bellingham, Nuno Mendes and Jamal Musiala.
He won the Golden Boy award earlier this month, and now Pedri has followed Juventus centre-back Matthijs de Ligt in lifting the prestigious Kopa Trophy.
“I recently turned 19 and this is the best way to celebrate that,” Pedri told Monday’s Ballon d’Or ceremony.
“I want to thank Barcelona… captains like [Lionel] Messi. Thank you for helping me. I want to dedicate this award to my family, and a special thanks to Las Palmas.”
Alongside Pedri, Gianluigi Donnarumma was celebrating after being handed the Yachine Trophy, given to the best goalkeeper of 2021.
The Paris Saint-Germain stopper was up against Ederson, Edouard Mendy, Manuel Neuer Jan Oblak, but was always a favourite to win after being named the Player of the Tournament at this summer’s European Championships.
“I had a spectacular year, with the victory at the European Championships in the summer,” Donnarumma said. “Then I went to PSG, it was destiny because they always looked for me and now I hope to win many trophies here.
“I want to thank my family, but also my brother who has always been close to me. Thanks to all the people who have allowed this to come true.”