From Pedri to Gavi. From Barcelona to Barcelona. From inside to inside. The Canarian Pedri, winner of the 2021 award, presented the Kopa trophy to his partner and successor Pablo Páez Gavira, chosen as the best player under 21 in the world.
Gavi turned 18 last August, when he was able to sign his renewal with Barcelona until 2026, with a clause of 1,000 million.
The Kopa, chosen by former Ballon d'Or winners, was the first prize to be announced. At 8:42 pm, Pedri and Ronaldo Nazário proclaimed Gavi's name in unison. The Andalusian won Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Camavinga (Real Madrid), Musiala (Bayern) and Nuno Mendes (PSG).
Last season Gavi made his first team debut under Koeman on August 29, 2021. In October he was already a full international with Luis Enrique's Spain. In the end, he played 60 games for Barça (2 goals) and 10 for Spain (1 goal), a stellar appearance that has earned him a trophy that has already crowned Mbappé, De Ligt and Pedri.
“It is an honor for me to receive this award. Thank my family, Iván (de la Peña, his representative) and the people of La Masia, who have always been by my side, through thick and thin”, dedicated the footballer, who also explained how he handles pressure despite his youth. “I always try to give my best. The ones who always help me are the coaches and the technical staff”.
Gavi remembered Barcelona, his teammates and the coaches. "Thanks to the club of my life, Barça, to my teammates, and to all the coaches who have helped me to be here. Thank you very much and see Barça", he said goodbye. In the audience of the Châtelet theater, the president of Barcelona, Joan Laporta, could not hold back his tears. If nothing goes wrong in a little over a month, Gavi will debut in a World Cup.
Barça's Polish striker won the first edition of the Gerd Müller trophy thanks to the 57 goals he scored in 21-22 with Bayern and Poland. "Gerd was an inspiration to me," explained Lewandowski, in front of the German legend's widow and daughter. 9 was asked about Haaland's numbers at City. "Now I'm at Barcelona. It's a new chapter for me. I feel very good from the start. And I hope to have chances to score more goals", he wished.
