First awarded to Kylian Mbappe in 2018, the Kopa Trophy has fast become one of the most prestigious individual prizes in football, with rising stars such as Pedri, Gavi and Jude Bellingham following the France captain as its winner.
Presented to the best player worldwide still under the age of 21, the trophy is handed over during a joint ceremony with the Ballon d'Or, which is also organised by France Football.
The award takes its name from late French forward Raymond Kopa, winner of the 1958 Ballon d'Or and many team titles with Real Madrid during the 1950s.
Once again, this year's choice will be made by a jury of former Ballon d'Or winners, so who are the 10 nominees in with a shout of succeeding Bellingham as the world's best young player on October 28?
Here, Sports Mole takes a look at the illustrious shortlist.
Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona and Spain)
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The first of several teenagers on this list, Pau Cubarsi emerged almost fully formed from Barcelona's famous La Masia academy, initially catching the eye in the Catalan club's win over Napoli in last season's Champions League.
Calm and composed on the ball - and also capable of a long, defence-splitting pass - he has quickly developed into one of Barca's most important defenders.
Just 17, the centre-back has already surpassed 20 first-team appearances at club level, as well as receiving six senior caps for Spain.
While he narrowly missed out on La Roja's triumph at the Euros, being cut from the preliminary squad, Cubarsi surely has a bright future in the red jersey of his nation.
Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United and Argentina)
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Amid a number of candidates to fill Manchester United's wide positions - which are so revered in the club's illustrious history - Alejandro Garnacho perhaps came out with most credit from another tough year at Old Trafford.
Already an established Argentina international with six senior caps, the 20-year-old winger not only likes to run at defences but is also not shy to try his luck with a shot.
In 2023-24, he became a regular pick for United boss Erik ten Hag, registering 10 goals in all competitions, and most notably scoring in a season-ending FA Cup final win over Manchester City.
Garnacho initially went through the youth ranks of Spain, the country of his birth, but switched to Argentina in 2022. Having made his full debut in June of last year, he was a member of the squad that won this summer's Copa America.
Arda Guler (Real Madrid and Turkey)
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Making his big breakthrough at the start of Fenerbahce's 2022-23 season - after the departure of Mesut Ozil, whose number 10 shirt he inherited - Arda Guler soon caught the eye of Europe's top clubs and would quickly leave the Turkish Super Lig behind.
In July 2023, Spanish giants Real Madrid won the race for his signature, handing the highly coveted teenage playmaker a six-year contract.
Even after an injury-hit campaign, Guler still returned to score six La Liga goals in just 10 games, before going on to represent his nation at Euro 2024.
While in Germany, the 19-year-old put in a string of mature performances as Turkey went all the way to the quarter-finals, scoring one goal and laying on two others as he truly established himself on the international stage.
Karim Konate (Red Bull Salzburg and Ivory Coast)
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A rising star that plies his trade outside of Europe's top five leagues, Karim Konate has all the potential to become another player that started in Salzburg before going on to make the big time.
Erling Haaland, Sadio Mane and several others have trodden that path before, and Konate could soon follow, after scoring 20 goals last term and recording eight assists.
The 20-year-old striker - a youth product of ASEC Mimosas in Abidjan - was also part of Ivory Coast's triumphant Africa Cup of Nations squad last winter, having made his senior international debut before turning 17.
Injured at the start of this season, as Salzburg progressed through Champions League qualifying in his absence, Konate will now be keen to make an impact on Europe's top club tournament in the months ahead.
Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United and England)
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More than living up to the insider hype, Kobbie Mainoo enjoyed a remarkable breakthrough campaign in 2023-24 - despite injury making him miss a chunk of Manchester United's miserable Premier League season.
Mainoo has since developed into a midfield mainstay for one of the world's biggest clubs, rarely putting a foot out of place and showing endless composure in the Old Trafford engine room.
Of course, the crowning glory was winning the FA Cup and scoring in the final against United's city rivals, having already cemented his place in England's squad for the Euros.
Drafted into Gareth Southgate's starting XI during the group stage, he played a big part in his nation's run through to the final, where the fairytale ultimately ended.
Joao Neves (Paris Saint-Germain and Portugal)
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Following a well-trodden path from Portugal to Paris, Joao Neves did not take long to impress PSG scouts sufficiently to earn a big-money move from Benfica.
Compiling a series of displays that belied his tender age, the teenager seamlessly replaced Enzo Fernandez in Lisbon, and a fee that could rise to nearly £60m was handed over to secure his services.
A deep-lying midfielder, Neves managed to play his way into his Portugal's talent-packed Euro 2024 squad in spite of stiff competition, and he appeared twice before the Selecao exited in the quarter-finals.
Hotly tipped - by none other than national team manager Roberto Martinez - to forge a longstanding midfield partnership with Vitinha for club and country, he is set to tread the main stage for some time to come.
Savinho (Manchester City and Brazil)
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Featuring heavily in Girona's remarkable rise up La Liga last season, Savinho earned himself a move to Manchester City and recognition by his national team.
An impressive tally of 19 goal involvements persuaded City to sign the winger from sister club Troyes this summer, taking full advantage of their arrangement with the French club.
Savinho also saw off strong competition to break into Brazil's senior squad and now has seven caps for the Selecao, for whom he featured at the recent Copa America.
While in the United States, the 20-year-old scored his first international goal during a 4–1 win over Paraguay in the group stage - and he has already impressed new club boss Pep Guardiola.
Mathys Tel (Bayern Munich and France Under-21s)
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Having left the suburbs of Paris for Rennes, where he first caught the eye of German giants Bayern Munich, Mathys Tel embarked on his journey towards the top in August 2021.
Making his professional debut at 16 years and 110 days saw the striker become the youngest player ever to appear in an official match for Rennes - a record previously held by Real Madrid star Eduardo Camavinga.
While Tel has had to play second fiddle for Bayern, filling for and sometimes linking up with the imperious Harry Kane, he still made a major impact last season.
The 19-year-old posted a total of 16 goal involvements, but that was not quite enough to earn a first senior cap for France, and Bayern denied him permission to compete at the 2024 Olympics on home soil.
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona and Spain)
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Widely regarded as representing the future of Barcelona, Lamine Yamal has proved ready to withstand such pressure despite his tender years, having broken into Barca's first team aged just 15.
Now renowned worldwide for his dribbling skills, bursts of speed, and his vision, Yamal is still only 17 but has achieved so much already.
As part of a fearsome wing duo with 'big brother' Nico Williams, he played an integral role in Spain's Euro 2024 success, becoming the youngest player ever to score at a European Championship just days before his birthday.
A sublime goal against France in the semi-final was added to four assists throughout the tournament, not forgetting some 16 goal involvements for his club in 2023-24.
Not only is Yamal hot favourite to take the Kopa Trophy, he is also in contention for the Ballon d'Or, having been nominated for the top prize too.
Warren Zaire-Emery (Paris Saint-Germain and France)
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Like Barcelona and Manchester United, PSG can claim two candidates on the shortlist, as recent recruit Joao Neves is joined by their home-grown midfield star, Warren Zaire-Emery.
Virtually a seasoned veteran now, the 18-year-old actually made his senior debut three seasons ago, since when he has established himself as an indispensable member of Luis Enrique's squad.
Even safety-first France boss Didier Deschamps thought nothing of throwing him into Les Bleus' starting XI while still a teenager, also including him in the squad that ultimately came up short in the Euros.
Remarkably consistent for his age, Zaire-Emery made over 40 club appearances in 2023-24 and is already part of the furniture at Parc des Princes.
Jonathan O'Shea
