Kylian Mbappe, Trophee Kopa

Mbappe beats Alexander-Arnold, Kluivert & Donnarumma to Trophee Kopa award

Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe has been named the winner of the inaugural Trophee Kopa award, handed out by France Football during the Ballon d'Or ceremony for the best young player under 21.

Mbappe, who lifted the World Cup in France as well as storming to yet another Ligue 1 title with PSG, beat off competition from the likes of Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold, Borussia Dortmund's Christian Pulisic and Roma's Justin Kluivert to be named the victor.

"I am very happy to receive this award," Mbappe said. "This rewards a great year, which I realise is thanks to all my team-mates in club and national team.

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"I will never forget the adventure of the World Cup. It's a good time to thank them. And it's an extra motivation to keep working.

"My next goal? It is to lift everything (not only the Ballon D'Or). It will be with hard work and I'll need help from my team-mates".

The 19-year-old forward, who will turn 20 on December 20, is coming off a magnificient year for both club and country.

In his first year with PSG after €180 million loan-to-buy move from Monaco, Mbappe managed 13 goals and eight assists in 27 Ligue 1 appearances, while adding another four goals and three assists for the club in the Champions League.

Mbappe's performances helped PSG to a domestic treble, with the club taking the Ligue 1 title, his second after winning with Monaco the season before, in addition to the Coupe de la Ligue and Coupe de France.

But it was in the 2018 World Cup where Mbappe announced his presence as arguably one of the world's top players, and without a doubt one of its top talents.

Mbappe scored four times in Russia, including a brace in the round of 16 against Argentina that saw him equal the likes of Pele , along with a goal in the World Cup final victory against Croatia.

The teenager's efforts earned him election to the fan's "Dream Team" of the tournament as well as the award for being the World Cup's top young player. 

The forward has only kept his ascent going so far this season, as he has netted 12 times for PSG in Ligue 1, just one off his total from last season, while adding another two goals and two assists in the Champions League.

Mbappe's performances netted him a fourth place finish in the overall 2018 Ballon d'Or voting. 

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