Barcelona youngster unlikely to win Kopa Trophy as teammate emerges as favourite – report

Barcelona youngster unlikely to win Kopa Trophy as teammate emerges as favourite – report Barcelona are coming off a difficult week, with back-to-back defeats to PSG in the Champions League and Real Madrid in La Liga . However, with the Ballon d’Or ceremony set to take place later tonight, the focus will understandably shift to that. Barça could be preparing to celebrate another major individual honour at the Ballon d’Or ceremony. However, according to journalist Santi Ovalle, speaking on El Larguero , Pau Cubarsi is unlikely to travel with Barcelona’s delegation to the ceremony . Cubarsi’s absence could reveal Kopa Trophy outcome This suggests that the teenage central defender may miss out on the Kopa Trophy, despite being considered the favourite to win it. “It looks like Pau Cubarsi won’t be part of the delegation, which seems to be a clue about who isn’t winning the Kopa Trophy,” Ovalle explained. The journalist then pointed towards another Barcelona youngster as the possible beneficiary. “If Cubarsi doesn’t win it, everything would point towards Lamine,” he added. Pau Cubarsi will not travel with the Barcelona delegate. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) Lamine could be in line to receive the prestigious award, but it is worth noting that Barça have not yet confirmed the travelling delegation. Cubarsi has established himself as a key figure in Hansi Flick’s defence, impressing with his maturity, positioning and composure in possession. He also had the World Cup of dreams for a teenage central defender, securing the young player of the tournament award. Yamal, on the other hand, has become the team’s most decisive attacking player, emerging as one of the best in the world. What does this mean for the Ballon d’Or? Ovalle also highlighted an intriguing historical pattern involving the two awards. “No Kopa Trophy winner has ever won the Ballon d’Or as well,” he noted. It is worth noting that Lamine is one of the frontrunners for the Ballon d’Or , making the Kopa Trophy development interesting. Pau Cubarsi and Lamine Yamal are in the running for some rewards in the Ballon d’Or ceremony. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images) However, it does not mean that winning the youth award automatically rules a player out of contention for the main prize. The possibility of Yamal receiving an individual honour would be big for the club, but the Kopa Trophy is not what the teenager is aspiring for. Meanwhile, Cubarsi missing out on the award would be unfair because the teenager deserves it following his exploits last season. The defender has been the only consistent presence in Barça ‘s back line amid a lot of reshuffling. A lot of confusion seems to exist ahead of the Ballon d’Or ceremony, and it remains to be seen whether Cubarsi travels and who wins which award from a Barça perspective.