FC Barcelona midfielder Vicky López has been named the world’s best female footballer under the age of 21, securing the Young Talent of the Year award for the second consecutive year. The accolade was presented on Monday at the 70th Ballon d’Or ceremony held at the London Palladium.
France Football, the organizer of the prestigious awards, has presented the trophy for the best young female talent only twice since its inception. Consequently, the 20-year-old Madrid native remains the sole player to have ever won the honor, maintaining a perfect record for both the player and the Catalan club.
Accepting the trophy, López credited her success to those around her. “This award would not be possible without my team mates who make me better,” she said, before expressing gratitude to her family and specifically thanking her mother for teaching her numerous life lessons.
The recognition follows an outstanding 20th season campaign for the midfielder under coach Pere Romeu. López made 45 appearances across all competitions for Barcelona, earning 31 starts and firmly establishing herself as an indispensable component of the squad’s tactical setup. Her offensive contributions included 12 goals and 13 assists.
Those individual statistics proved vital during a historic campaign that saw Barcelona secure an unprecedented quadruple. The team swept all four available trophies last season, capturing the Liga F title, the Copa de la Reina, the UEFA Women’s Champions League, and the Spanish Super Cup.
Now entering her fifth season at the club, the Barcelona number 19 continues to draw acclaim for her exceptional technique, close ball control, dribbling ability, and precise passing. Having played a central role in both domestic and continental dominance, López represents both the current success and the long-term future of the club.
