The nominations for the 2023 Kopa Trophy – given to the best U21 player in world football – were revealed on Wednesday afternoon.

The 10-man shortlist was comprised of the best youngsters on the planet, who will all be vying to clinch the title won by Barcelona star Gavi last year. 

Only one English player – Jude Bellingham – made the shortlist, following his tremendous campaign with Borussia Dortmund and his recent Real Madrid move. 

The full list included: Alejandro Balde, Rasmus Hojlund, Pedri, Eduardo Camavinga, Xavi Simons, Jamal Musiala, Antonio Silva, Gavi, Elye Wahi and Bellingham.

Man United’s Hojlund – who completed a £72million move to Old Trafford this summer – is the only Premier League candidate on the list. 

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Previous winners Gavi and Pedri – who both feature for Barcelona and Spain – made the list.

The Spanish league proved dominant in regard to the nominees – with five of the 10 players featuring in LaLiga. 

Perhaps the most surprising inclusion was France forward Elye Wahi – who snubbed a move to the Premier League in favour of a move to Lens this summer. 

Netherlands youngster Xavi Simons was also nominated for the award following a tremendous campaign with PSV Eindhoven, before he secured a move to RB Leipzig. 

Elsewhere, the 30-man shortlist for the Ballon d’Or was revealed – with the likes of Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe making up the frontrunners.

Both Bayern Munich’s Musiala and Real Madrid’s Bellingham made both the Kopa Trophy and Ballon d’Or shortlists. 

Notably, there was no space for five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo – who missed out on the shortlist for the first time since 2005. 

The Portuguese star called an end to his time in European football in December and has spent the entirety of the calendar year with Saudi side Al-Nassr.