Barcelona forward, Lamine Yamal, has made history by winning the Kopa Trophy for the second year in a row.

The 18-year-old claimed the award, which honours the best footballer in the world under the age of 21, at the 69th Ballon d’Or ceremony held at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris on Monday.

He becomes the first player to retain the France Football honour since it was introduced in 2018.

Yamal, who turned 18 in July, enjoyed a standout season with Barça, playing 55 games under manager Hansi Flick, scoring 18 goals and providing 21 assists as the club secured a domestic treble – La Liga, Copa del Rey and Supercopa.

He also impressed with Spain, helping the national team reach the Nations League final.

His latest accolade strengthens Barcelona’s dominance of the award. The club has now produced four of the seven winners: Pedri (2021), Gavi (2022), and Yamal in both 2024 and 2025.

Yamal also claimed the Golden Boy award, the Laureus Breakthrough of the Year prize, and earned a place in the FIFPRO World XI, further cementing his reputation as one of football’s brightest young stars.

(Editor: Paul Akhagbemhe)

Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembele finally won the 2025 Ballon d’Or award.

Former Liverpool star, Jamie Carragher, has slammed Mikel Arteta over the Spaniard’s conservative approach to games.

He said this could cost the Gunners the Premier League title, adding that the former Man City assistant boss is making the same mistake repeatedly.

Arsenal narrowly escaped from being handed their second defeat of the season drawing 1-1 with Manchester City at the Emirates on Sunday.

Erling Haaland scored for Man City after just nine minutes and Pep Guardiola’s side held their lead until the 93rd minute when Gabriel Martinelli scored a dramatic equaliser.

Arsenal recorded over 67 per cent possession against Pep Guardiola’s team, who were obviously defensive.

Carragher said that Arteta would have himself to blame for repeatedly picking the conservative midfield trio of Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino.

Arsenal were able to open up the game when Ebere Eze and Bukayo Saka replaced Noni Madueke and Merino.

Carragher said the Arsenal boss is being too cautious and it could cost his side the title again.

“Mikel Arteta has got a team and squad that are that close to being really, really special in terms of winning a Premier League and maybe even a Champions League, I think they’re that good.

“But time after time when it comes to these big games he picks a team that feels like he’s thinking more about the opposition.

“That doesn’t mean you can’t win the Premier League. Jose Mourinho won the Premier League three times and he was a little bit like that.

“But for me that was a waste for 45 minutes and the reason I’m saying that is because I played for managers who did that at Liverpool.

“We were really close, we were a top team but we never won the Premier League. I always felt at times under Gerard Houllier and Rafa Benitez maybe we had the handbrake on now and again in certain games.

“That is what Mikel Arteta is doing. Liverpool were there for the taking in that second half at Anfield. Man City were there for the taking at the start of this game and he’s allowed them to come into the game.

“It’s just a recurring pattern, season after season and if you’re Mikel Arteta or an Arsenal supporter you’ve just got to hope that it doesn’t cost you at the end of the season because they are a brilliant team.”

Arsenal are now five points behind league-leaders, Liverpool.