Barcelona remain confident that Lamine Yamal will win the Kopa Trophy despite his disappointing performance in Sunday’s 2-1 defeat against Real Madrid in El Clasico.

The teenage winger missed a significant goalscoring opportunity and struggled to influence proceedings, attracting criticism from supporters and reigniting discussions about his Ballon d’Or credentials.

However, the criticism arrives just hours before the prestigious awards ceremony in London, where Barcelona are expected to send a strong delegation.

According to COPE, as reported by Barca Universal, the Catalan club are convinced Yamal will collect the Kopa Trophy, awarded annually to the best player under 21.

Barcelona have also not abandoned hope of seeing their young star claim the Ballon d’Or, despite facing competition from several established football superstars.

Ballon d’Or Race Remains Open

Yamal’s performance against Real Madrid is unlikely to affect the outcome because voting concluded before the weekend’s El Clasico encounter.

The award recognises performances across an entire season, meaning one difficult match cannot erase the teenager’s achievements throughout the campaign.

Harry Kane remains a serious contender following another prolific season, with his goalscoring performances strengthening his case for football’s most prestigious individual honour.

Kylian Mbappe is also reportedly among the leading contenders, having delivered impressive performances for club and country despite missing out on major trophies.

Meanwhile, Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsi will reportedly miss the London ceremony after finishing El Clasico with a fever, with the club prioritising his recovery.

Cubarsi is also nominated for the Kopa Trophy, making his absence another notable development ahead of the evening’s celebrations.

Barcelona will nevertheless hope Yamal enjoys a memorable night, potentially securing the Kopa Trophy and challenging football’s biggest names for the Ballon d’Or.