Kopa Trophy: Discover Ibrahim Maza's final position in the ranking!

Oct 26, 2026

During an evening celebrating the biggest stars in world football, a Fennec managed to stand out. Ibrahim Maza successfully invited himself into a very exclusive circle, following a year that could mark a turning point in his promising career.

Ibrahim Maza ranks ninth in the 2026 Kopa Trophy, which honors the best young talent of the season. The attacking midfielder from Bayer Leverkusen is part of the top 10 in a ranking dominated by Spaniard Lamine Yamal, crowned for the third consecutive year, followed by his compatriot Pau Cubarsí and Frenchman Warren Zaïre-Emery.

The Algerian international notably surpasses Swiss player Johan Manzambi, who is in tenth place, while being behind several highly regarded prospects in European football, such as Lennart Karl, Yan Diomandé, and Ayyoub Bouaddi.

With Bayer Leverkusen, Maza participated in 44 matches across all competitions during the 2025-2026 season, scoring five goals and providing six assists. In the Champions League, he also took part in 12 matches, with two assists to his name. These statistics illustrate his growing integration into the German team.

The Fennec has also continued his rise with the Algerian national team. During the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, held between December 2025 and January 2026, he stood out by scoring two goals and delivering one assist in five matches. He was then present at the 2026 World Cup, participating in all four of Algeria's matches in the tournament.

When asked about his nomination for the Ballon d'Or, Ibrahim Maza chose to remain realistic about his chances while savoring this distinction: “I have to be realistic about my chances. However, just being nominated for this award is already something incredible for me. Being present at such a prestigious ceremony and being selected for such a prestigious award is a dream for any player. I am very grateful to have this opportunity.”

This ninth place in the Kopa Trophy represents an encouraging recognition for Maza, who now positions himself among the talented young players on the international stage. Although he does not yet compete with Lamine Yamal's accolades, the Algerian shows interesting potential for growth to establish himself among the top talents to watch in Europe.

DZfoot