The Super Eagles sensation missed out on the 2019 Kopa trophy after Juventus defender, Matthijs De Ligt, was declared the winner of the award on Monday evening but he has been praised for even getting nominated.
A breakthrough season for Villarreal and the Super Eagles has seen Nigeria international Samuel Chukwueze listed among the ten best performing players in the world under the age of 21.
However, despite tormenting La Liga defences with his pace and trickery last term and winning bronze medal with Nigeria at the 2019 AFCON tournament in Egypt, the 20-year-old was snubbed by the voters who preferred former Ajax defender De Lift who had a sensational season for the Dutch champions last term.
The Kopa Trophy award is organised by France Football and its winner is selected by former Ballon d'Or winners.
PSG star, Kylian Mbappe was the winner of the Kopa Trophy award last year after his impressive performance for Les Blues at the Russia 2018 World Cup.
Nigeria fans were however still excited for Samuel Chukwueze who surprisingly became the highlight of a night that saw Lionel Messi claim a record sixth Ballon d'Or trophy.
“Samuel Chukwueze. Top 10 under 21. Big stuff. Congratulations to him.”
https://www.twitter.com/BOBCyril2/status/1201592834824003584
https://www.twitter.com/SSE_NGA/status/1201594651687309312
https://www.twitter.com/OluniyiGates/status/1201597147306758144
https://www.twitter.com/OluniyiGates/status/1201597147306758144
https://www.twitter.com/BOBCyril2/status/1201592834824003584
https://www.twitter.com/IsmaiilTheBird/status/1201611041693687808
Congrats @chukwueze_8 on making the final 10 of the Kopa Trophy 2019. You’re a gem.
— CFA (@Gentle_Dove1) December 2, 2019
https://www.twitter.com/Biodun75460129/status/1201605111426043905
https://www.twitter.com/Black_Adefemi/status/1201600586560548865
Chukwueze proud of you boy
— Ibroh (@ibrahimmibroh) December 2, 2019
Congratulations to Samuel chukwueze for making the ballon d’or best young player list..
— Victor (@izu_chukwu) December 2, 2019
https://www.twitter.com/tobbylento/status/1201594849440473088
https://www.twitter.com/Inowei8/status/1201594056473763840
Congratulations to chukwueze , hoping we'll get the kopathrophy,,, Nigerians everywhere,, Even plastic na achievement bro@chukwueze_8
— Nonconformist Emrex (@The_EmrexOjay) December 2, 2019
https://www.twitter.com/iam_foleymessi/status/1201589687254704128
my brother is moving to the to
congratulation doings na we dey here Abia