Messi’s Kopa Trophy Votes Revealed as Legend Backs Surprise Bundesliga Talent

Lionel Messi may have skipped the recent awards gala in London, where he ultimately finished fifth in the overall rankings, but the legendary playmaker still played a decisive role in the Kopa Trophy selection. As one of 26 former winners invited to vote for the world's best player under 21, Messi’s picks have now been made public, revealing a mix of loyalty and a surprising eye for emerging talent.

To little surprise, the former Argentina captain looked toward his former club for his top two choices. Messi’s first-place vote went to the eventual winner, Lamine Yamal, while his second-place selection was awarded to Pau Cubarsí. This marks the second year in a row that Messi has used his platform to support this specific pair of rising stars from the Barcelona academy.

A Shock Third Choice

The real talking point emerged from Messi’s third-place selection: Ibrahim Maza. The 20-year-old Bayer Leverkusen midfielder is considered a significant prospect in German football, but the voting results showed that Messi was the only one of the 26 participating legends to cast a vote for the Algerian international. While Maza only received this single point, the recognition from such a figure has sparked widespread discussion.

The connection between Messi and Maza was established during the 2026 World Cup. The two faced off in a group stage match where Argentina defeated Algeria 3-0. Although Messi dominated the game with a hat-trick, he clearly took note of Maza, who was a regular starter for his national side. The pair spent 80 minutes on the pitch together before being substituted, an experience Maza later commemorated by sharing a photo of them on social media.

For Maza, being singled out by the man many consider the greatest of all time was a landmark moment. The young midfielder expressed his delight on social media, celebrating the fact that he had earned Messi's personal endorsement. Despite not winning the trophy, the Bayer Leverkusen youngster treated the unique vote as a major career milestone.