RB Salzburg midfielder Amadou Haidara has been nominated for the maiden Kopa Trophy alongside PSG’s Kylian Mbappe, Borussia Dortmund's Christian Pulisic, AC Milan's Gianluigi Donnarumma, Roma's Justin Kluivert and Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The 20-year-old played a key role in guiding the Red Bulls to their second successive Austrian Bundesliga triumph and the Uefa Europa League semi-final stage with eight goals in 55 appearances across all competitions.
Haidara made his international debut for Mali in a 2018 World Cup qualification match against Cote d'Ivoire in October 2017.
The trophy named after France and Real Madrid legend Raymond Kopa - who won the Ballon d'Or in 1958 - is the first of its kind to honour the best U-21 player in the world.
Next Match
Former Ballon d'Or winners including Crisitano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Michel Platini will decide the winner.
10-MAN SHORTLIST IN FULL
Amadou Haidara (Red Bull Salzburg/Mali)
Justin Kluivert (AS Roma/Holland)
Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain/France)
Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool/England)
Houssem Aouar (Lyon/France)
Patrick Cutrone (AC Milan/Italy)
Ritsu Doan (Groningen/Japan)
Gianluigi Donnarumma (AC Milan/Italy)
Christian Pulisic (Borussia Dortmund/USA)
Rodrygo (Santos/Brazil)
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