Barcelona Teenager Gavi Beats Real Madrid Wonderkid Eduardo Camavinga To Win 2022 Kopa Trophy
Teenage Barcelona midfielder Gavi has won the 2022 Kopa Trophy.
The 18-year-old topped the final vote ahead of Real Madrid's Eduardo Camavinga, 19, in second and Bayern Munich's Jamal Musiala, also 19, in third.
Gavi was a key player for Barcelona last season, featuring in 34 games in La Liga.
Camavinga played 1,098 minutes fewer than Gavi in La Liga but ended the 2021/22 campaign as a Spanish and European champion.
Barcelona midfielder Gavi (right) won the 2022 Kopa Trophy ahead of Real Madrid's Eduardo Camavinga
IMAGO/nogueirafoto
Gavi is only the fourth player to win the Kopa Trophy, which is effectively the Under 21 Ballon d'Or.
"I try and give the best of myself the whole time and try to apply myself in the best way," said Gavi after picking up the award from Barcelona team-mate Pedri, who won it in 2021.
Pedri added: "It is a very proud thing to see [Gavi win]. We spend a lot of time together and I hope we are playing together for many years to come."
Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham finished fourth and was joined in the top ten by fellow England midfielder Bukayo Saka of Arsenal.
Also in the top 10 were Nuno Mendes, Ryan Gravenberch, Josko Gvardiol, Karim Adeyemi and Florian Wirtz.
2022 Kopa Trophy Final Rankings
| Rank | Player | Club(s) in 2021/22 season | Nation |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Gavi | Barcelona | Spain |
2 | Eduardo Camavinga | Rennes and Real Madrid | France |
3 | Jamal Musiala | Bayern Munich | Germany |
4 | Jude Bellingham | Dortmund | England |
5 | Nuno Mendes | Sporting and PSG | Portugal |
=6 | Ryan Gravenberch | Ajax | Holland |
=6 | Josko Gvardiol | RB Leipzig | Croatia |
8 | Bukayo Saka | Arsenal | England |
9 | Karim Adeyemi | Salzburg | Germany |
10 | Florian Wirtz | Leverkusen | Germany |
