Gavi is in the running to become the best young player of the year on Monday and win the Kopa Trophy at the 2022 Ballon d’Or gala.
The award recognises the world’s best player under the age of 21 and the young midfielder is the favourite to win the coveted prize.
France Football has been awarding the Trophy since 2018 and the previous winners have been France forward Kylian Mbappé, Dutch defender Matthijs de Ligt and Gavi’s team-mate with Barca and Spain, Pedri.
Last year, Pedri had to beat the likes of England international Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka to win the vote. The Spain international hasn’t made the cut this year due to spells on the sidelines last season and Gavi (18) is joined by Adeyemi, Bellingham, Gravenberch, Nuno Mendes, Musiala, Camavinga, Gvardiol, Wirtz and Saka on the list of nominees for the prize.
At the awards ceremony on Monday, Karim Benzema is expected to win his first Ballon d’Or and Thibaut Courtois could collect the Yachine Trophy for the best goalkeeper of last season.
GSFN
