Messi Votes Arsenal Spurs Target Ibrahim Maza Kopa Trophy North London 2026

Key Points

• Messi’s Unique Ballot: Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi included Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Ibrahim Maza as his third-place selection for the prestigious Kopa Trophy.
• Sole Support: Maza received only one vote in the official ballot—cast entirely by Messi—finishing ninth out of ten nominees.
• North London Interest: Both Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur share a transfer interest in the 20-year-old attacking midfielder, who carries an estimated market valuation of £58 million.
• Voting Breakdown: Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal secured top spot on Messi’s ballot and won the overall award with 96 points, followed by club teammate Pau Cubarsí in second.
• Career Trajectory: Maza joined Bayer Leverkusen from Hertha BSC in 2025 and has represented the Algeria national team internationally.

Arsenal (North London News) November 3, 2026 — Both Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have had their high-level scouting reports validated by football royalty. Bayer Leverkusen attacking midfielder Ibrahim Maza, valued at £58 million and tracked by both North London clubs, received official backing from eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi during the voting process for the prestigious Kopa Trophy.

The Kopa Trophy, awarded annually by France Football to the world’s best player under the age of 21, features a voting panel restricted exclusively to former Ballon d’Or winners. As revealed in the official voting breakdown published following the ceremony, Messi delivered one of the most surprising selections on the entire ballot.

Who Did Lionel Messi Vote for in the Kopa Trophy Ballot?

As reported by Antonio Medina of beIN SPORTS, France Football’s publication of individual voting records confirmed that Lionel Messi selected Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal in first place (five points), defender Pau Cubarsí in second place (three points), and Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Ibrahim Maza in third place (one point).

Messi’s inclusion of Maza marked the only vote the 20-year-old Algerian international received across the entirety of the voting panel. That single point placed Maza ninth overall out of ten nominees, finishing ahead of Johan Manzambi.

The overall award was captured by Lamine Yamal with 96 points, narrowly edging out Cubarsí, who finished second with 94 points, while Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Warren Zaïre-Emery finished third with 20 points.

Why Has Ibrahim Maza Caught the Eye of Premier League Clubs?

As highlighted by Grey Whitebloom of Sports Illustrated, Maza has rapidly established himself in European football following his move to the Rhine region from Hertha BSC in the summer of 2025. Despite his young age, Maza has accumulated 12 appearances in the UEFA Champions League and has become a regular presence in Bayer Leverkusen’s first team.

According to match statistics recorded across the 2026–27 campaign, Maza has produced three goals and three assists in 11 appearances across all competitions under Leverkusen head coach Carles Martínez. His dynamic performances in the Bundesliga and European competitions have led scouts from Premier League rivals Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur to monitor his progress closely ahead of upcoming transfer windows.

Maza himself addressed media comparisons regarding high-profile transfers and premium valuations. As quoted by Grey Whitebloom of Sports Illustrated, Maza stated:

“I don’t like being compared like that. He became the most expensive signing in the Premier League, and I hope I can be at his level some day, but I’m not there yet.”

Did Lionel Messi Face Ibrahim Maza on the Pitch Prior to the Vote?

As reported by Antonio Medina of beIN SPORTS, Messi had direct on-field exposure to Maza during the group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Argentina faced Algeria in their Group J opening fixture, a match Argentina won 3-0 with Messi scoring a hat-trick.

During that match, Maza started for Algeria and played 82 minutes, featuring in an attacking movement that saw teammate Farès Chaïbi have a goal disallowed. While Messi has not publicly commented on whether that international fixture directly influenced his voting card, the encounter gave the Argentina captain an up-close evaluation of Maza’s technical capabilities on the international stage.

Background of the Particular Development

The Kopa Trophy was established by France Football in 2018 to recognize the most outstanding Under-21 footballer in world football over the preceding season. Named after legendary French footballer Raymond Kopa, the award holds unique prestige because its electorate consists solely of living former Ballon d’Or recipients, including icons such as Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldinho, Luka Modrić, and Lionel Messi.

Ibrahim Maza’s inclusion in this elite circle reflects a rapid rise through German football. Born in Berlin in November 2005, Maza progressed through the youth academy of Hertha BSC, making his senior debut in the Bundesliga during the 2022–23 season before establishing himself in the 2. Bundesliga during 2024–25. Dual-national eligibility allowed him to choose international representation, and he committed to the Algeria national team, making his debut in late 2024 and featuring prominently in Algeria’s runs at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

His £58m valuation reflects both his long-term contract with Bayer Leverkusen—which runs through to June 2030—and the premium placed on versatile attacking midfielders capable of playing across central and wide positions in modern high-intensity systems.

Prediction: How This Development Can Affect Arsenal, Tottenham, and Bayer Leverkusen

Lionel Messi’s public endorsement is expected to have a tangible impact on Ibrahim Maza’s market dynamics heading into the January and summer transfer windows:

1. Escalated Bidding Competition: By singling out Maza on an international platform reserved for Ballon d’Or winners, Messi has raised the player’s profile beyond typical scouting networks. Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, who were already monitoring the player, may feel increased pressure to formalize their interest early to avoid being priced out by other European elite clubs.
2. Strengthened Leverage for Bayer Leverkusen: With Maza under contract until 2030, Leverkusen hold maximum leverage in any potential negotiations. The added prestige of Messi’s endorsement reinforces Leverkusen’s £58m-plus valuation, ensuring that any suitor must pay a substantial premium to secure his signature.
3. Player Development and Mental Resilience: Earning explicit praise from one of football’s greatest players can serve as a double-edged sword for a 20-year-old. While it provides a significant confidence boost, it also heightens opposition scrutiny in the Bundesliga and raises public expectations, testing Maza’s capacity to maintain consistent performances under increased media attention.