2026 Ballon d’Or: Ayyoub Bouaddi sixth in the Kopa Trophy

Ayyoub Bouaddi continues to make progress among the world’s young football talents. Nominated for the Kopa Trophy for the second consecutive year, the Moroccan midfielder finished sixth in the 2026 edition, whose results were unveiled on Monday, October 26, in London, during the Ballon d’Or ceremony.

A notable progression for the Moroccan

After finishing ninth in 2025, Ayyoub Bouaddi has moved up three places. The result brings him closer to the leading group in this award reserved for players under the age of 21. Born on October 2, 2007, in Senlis, the player first attracted attention during the previous edition, when he was playing for Lille. Since then, his career has undergone significant change: after representing France’s youth teams, he chose to play for Morocco.

The midfielder then took part in the 2026 World Cup with the Atlas Lions, who reached the quarter-finals. Ayyoub Bouaddi joined Manchester City during the summer. His sixth-place finish in the Kopa Trophy therefore marks another step in his career. It reflects his presence in a closely followed international ranking, even though he has yet to reach the podium.

Lamine Yamal retains first place

The award goes to Lamine Yamal, who wins the Kopa Trophy for the third consecutive year. The FC Barcelona forward finished ahead of his teammate Pau Cubarsí, while Warren Zaïre-Emery of Paris Saint-Germain completed the podium.

Ivorian player Yan Diomandé takes fifth place, just ahead of Bouaddi. Algerian Ibrahim Maza, who plays for Bayer Leverkusen, finishes ninth. In total, three African players feature in the top 10: Bouaddi, who represents Morocco, Diomandé for Côte d’Ivoire and Maza for Algeria.

Aliou Toundé |

Editorfr

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Manchester City