Serie A's Sole Kopa Nominee Secures Top-10 Global Ranking
Juventus forward Kerim Alajbegovic finished 7th in the 2026 Kopa Trophy rankings at the awards gala in London on October 28. Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal took top honors for the third consecutive year in the voting conducted by former Ballon d’Or winners.
The 19-year-old Bosnian was the single Serie A representative named on the 10-man U21 shortlist following his €35m transfer to Juventus from Bayer Leverkusen. His nomination capped a 12-month period that included a loan spell at RB Salzburg, a World Cup goal against Qatar, and 10 appearances with one goal for Juventus across all competitions under manager Luciano Spalletti.
Juventus
clubAlajbegovic Validates Juventus Investment in London
Alajbegovic’s inclusion in the U21 top 10 validates the financial outlay committed by the Italian side during the summer transfer window. With primary rotation responsibilities falling to the teenager during ongoing squad fitness issues in Turin, his standing as the Italian top flight’s lone representative emphasizes his rapid ascent into senior European football.
The recognition comes as Juventus navigate the autumn schedule, where Alajbegovic has already established regular baseline minutes in domestic and European fixtures following his September Europa League goal against NEC.
