Lionel Messi's top 3 votes for the 2024 Kopa trophy revealed, with Cristiano Ronaldo's ex-teammate earning surprise inclusion

Lionel Messi picked a former teammate of Cristiano Ronaldo's among his top three nominees for the 2024 Kopa Trophy last month. Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal made history, as the 17-year-old became the youngest recipient of the award since its inception.

The Kopa Trophy is usually awarded to the best U-21 player in the world, with the top youngsters from around the world receiving nominations for the award. Former Ballon d'Or winners, including Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, were meant to cast their votes to determine the recipient of the award.

Argentina captain Messi stayed true to his club and national affiliations as he voted the Barcelona duo of Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi as his first two choices. He then chose Argentina teammate Alejandro Garnacho as his third-place pick for the award.

Manchester United forward Garnacho is famously a big fan of Cristiano Ronaldo, having played alongside the Portuguese great at Old Trafford. The 20-year-old attacker enjoyed a fine individual 2023-24 season with the Red Devils, which he capped off with a goal in their FA Cup final win over Manchester City.

Alongside Lionel Messi, Garnacho was part of the Argentina team that won Copa America in the USA in the summer. The forward played just once for La Albiceleste during the tournament, as he found himself behind a number of players in the pecking order.

Yamal was the clear winner of the clear winner of the award as he racked up 113 points, 87 more than his closest challenger, Real Madrid's Arda Guler. Lamine Yamal played a central role for Spain as they triumphed at Euro 2024, earning the Young Player of the Tournament award.

Cubarsi was fifth with eight points while Garnacho tallied just three points to finish seventh. Like Yamal, Cubarsi became a starter for Barcelona and made his senior debut for the Spanish national team in March 2024. He also played a starring role for Spain as they won Olympic Gold in Paris in the summer.

Cristiano Ronaldo failed to cast 2024 Kopa Trophy vote - Reports

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo refrained from casting his votes for the 2024 Kopa Trophy alongside a number of other previous winners of the Ballon d'Or. Barcelona's 17-year-old prodigy Lamine Yamal ended up being the winner of the award, beating stiff competition from several other youngsters.

Lionel Messi, Karim Benzema, Ronaldo Nazario, Kaka, Ronaldinho, and Luka Modric all voted for their winners but a number of others failed to vote. Five-time Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo did not vote along with the likes of Zinedine Zidane, George Weah, Michel Platini, and Roberto Baggio, as per 433 on X.

Lamine Yamal ended up with the most first-place votes as he became the third recipient of the award from Barcelona in four editions. He succeeded Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham in winning the award this year.