Bayer Leverkusen attacking midfielder Ibrahim Maza finished ninth in the final voting for the 2026 Kopa Trophy, cementing a breakthrough year that included a heavy load of club minutes and international appearances with Algeria, DZfoot reported.

Lamine Yamal Claims Third Kopa Trophy in London

The annual gathering in London for the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony saw FC Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal secure the Kopa Trophy for the third year, honoring the world’s top-performing player under the age of 21, according to coverage by Eurosport and Sports.fr. Yamal finished ahead of his club and international teammate Pau Cubarsí and Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Warren Zaïre-Emery. During the ceremony, Yamal remarked that Cubarsí deserved the individual honor for his consistent, high-level performances, noting in remarks reported by DAZN and Sports.fr: J’aurais beaucoup aimé qu’à ma place soit Pau Cubarsí, mon coéquipier. Il le mérite. Cela fait plusieurs années qu’il joue à un très haut niveau et il le mérite.

Inside Maza’s Heavy 2025-2026 Campaign Across Club and Country

Maza’s top-ten finish reflects a demanding schedule in German and European competition. DZfoot reported that he made 44 appearances across all competitions for Bayer Leverkusen during the 2025-2026 season, scoring five goals and providing six assists. He added 12 appearances and two assists in the UEFA Champions League, signaling his growing integration into the Bundesliga side’s senior setup. On the international stage, Maza represented Algeria at the Africa Cup of Nations held across December 2025 and January 2026, netting two goals and registering one assist in five matches. He followed that tournament by playing in all four of Algeria’s matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Where Maza Landed Among Europe’s Elite Young Prospects

The final Kopa Trophy voting placed Maza among a select group of global prospects. The top ten featured Spain’s Yamal and Cubarsí, France’s Zaïre-Emery, and Switzerland’s Johan Manzambi in tenth place, as outlined by DZfoot. D’autres nommés comprenaient Kerim Alajbegovic, Ayyoub Bouaddi, Yan Diomandé, Lennart Karl et Eli Junior Kroupi. Reflecting on his inclusion on the prestigious shortlist, Maza told DZfoot: Je dois être réaliste concernant mes chances. Cependant, le simple fait d’être nommé pour cette récompense est déjà quelque chose de formidable pour moi. Être présent à une cérémonie d’une telle ampleur et être nommé pour un prix aussi prestigieux est un rêve pour tout joueur.

Harry Kane and Alexia Putellas Win Ballon d'Or

The 70th edition of the Ballon d’Or ceremony featured multiple major awards across categories. Bayern Munich forward Harry Kane claimed the men’s Ballon d’Or ahead of Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal, Rodri, Lionel Messi, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Ousmane Dembélé, Erling Haaland, Michael Olise, and Fabián Ruiz. On the women’s side, Alexia Putellas of London City Lionesses secured her third Ballon d’Or ahead of Ewa Pajor, Khadija Shaw, Melchie Dumornay, Patri Guijarro, Caroline Graham Hansen, Pernille Harder, Claudia Pina, Alessia Russo, and Temwa Chawinga. Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Unai Simon won the men's Yashin Trophy for goalkeeper of the season, while Barcelona's Cata Coll received the women's counterpart after conceding only 18 goals in 39 matches with 23 clean sheets.