Ballon d’Or: surprise among young people

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By: Nicolas Gerbault

Revelation of last season in Ligue 1, Elye Wahi is named this year in a category of the Ballon d’Or. An ascent perhaps a little too fast.

Elye Wahi scored in Ligue 1 in 2022-2023 in the Montpellier jersey. This is an indisputable fact. The French striker had scored 19 goals in 33 matches, including a quadruple on May 7 against OL (5-4 defeat).

At barely 20 years old, the performance was naturally underlined. Last June, the Golden Boy, organized by Tuttosportplaced him 66th in a ranking of 100 players under 21 playing in Europe.

Decisive and impressive character

Next month, the Italian media will have reduced the list to 20 finalists. This Wednesday, the criteria for France-Football have placed Elye Wahi, transferred this summer to RC de Lens, among the very best hopes.

The footballer from the Paris region is one of the 10 nominees for the Kopa Trophy. It rewards the best hope under 21 on July 31, without distinction of Championship or nationality”specifies the regulation.

Among the three criteria required, the first – Individual performance and decisive and impressive character – fits well with the qualities of the young Frenchman. We could be more measured on the other two: collective performance and awards; Class and fair play.