Nigeria international forward Samuel Chukwueze has made the final shortlist of players for the prestigious Kopa Trophy, which is the award for the best performing player under the age of 21.
A shock omission for the final list for the Golden Boy award, the Villarreal prospect was named in the 11 players who will contest for the award which was last won by France superstar Kylian Mbappe.
Chukwueze was nominated alongside Atletico Madrid Joao Felix, Borussia Dortmund Jadon Sancho, Moise Kean of Everton, Lee Kang-IN of Valencia, Matthijs de Ligt of Juventus, Real Madrid Vinicius Junior, Kai Havertz of Bayern Leverkusen, Andriy Lunin of Real Valladolid and Matteo Guendouzi of Arsenal.
The winner will be picked by former winners of the Ballon d’Or in a ceremony in December, with many suggesting the 3rd of December as the likely date for the event.
The award is organized by France Football and unlike the Golden Boy award, the Kopa Trophy is also open to those who play outside Europe. It’s name after former French footballer Raymond Kopa.
