Vicky Lopez Retains the Women's Kopa Trophy in 2026

Back-to-back for Lopez

Vicky Lopez has won the 2026 women's Kopa Trophy, awarded to the best young player in the women's game, for the second year in a row. The Barcelona and Spain midfielder, who first claimed the prize in 2025, retained it after another influential season for the all-conquering Catalan side.

A rising star at a giant club

Lopez has blossomed into a figure of genuine importance for Barcelona, a club that re-established its dominance of the global game during the season. Her development from promising teenager to trusted contributor mirrors the pathway that has made Barcelona's academy the envy of women's football.

Ahead of a talented field

She was chosen ahead of nominees including Barcelona team-mate Clara Serrajordi, Chelsea's Veerle Buurman and OL Lyonnes and United States prospect Lily Yohannes. The strength of the shortlist underlines how competitive the women's young-player category has become.

Echoing the men's winner

Lopez's repeat success mirrored that of Lamine Yamal, who retained the men's Kopa Trophy for a third straight year on the same night. Together, the two Barcelona players embodied the club's grip on the game's brightest emerging talent.

Part of Barcelona's sweep

The award was one of many for Barcelona and Spain. Alexia Putellas won the women's Ballon d'Or, Cata Coll the women's Yashin Trophy, Pere Romeu the women's coach of the year prize, and Barcelona were crowned women's club of the year.

About the women's Kopa Trophy

The women's Kopa Trophy was introduced in 2025, when Vicky Lopez herself became its first winner. Her 2026 success makes her the award's first-ever back-to-back winner, mirroring the way Lamine Yamal has made the men's version his own, and highlighting the remarkable depth of Barcelona's famed youth production line.

The bottom line

Vicky Lopez retaining the women's Kopa Trophy confirms her as one of the most promising players in the world and a cornerstone of Barcelona's future. With a Women's World Cup year ahead, her trajectory is one to watch closely.

Related on Skillo

See also: Ballon d'Or 2026 live: Harry Kane wins in London, Ballon d'Or 2026: the full winners list.

Sources

• Ballon d'Or official winners (ballondor.com)
• 2026 Ballon d'Or - Wikipedia (full rankings)
• Ballon d'Or 2026 live updates: Kane, Putellas headline winners (NBC Sports)

Published date reflects the original event date (2026-10-26). This article is original Skillo editorial written from the sources above; facts were verified in September 2026.