Super Eagles forward Samuel Chukwueze has been included in the final 10-man shortlist for the 2019 Ballon d’Or Kopa Award – a version of the Ballon d’Or award for U21 players.

Named after French legend Raymond Kopa and organised by France Football magazine, the award voted for by former Ballon d’Or winners is given to the best player in Europe under the age of 21.

Atletico Madrid’s forward Joao Felix, Juventus’ defender Matthijs de Ligt and Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho are some of the frontrunners for the award which will be given out during the Ballon d’Or award ceremony in Paris on 2 December.

Chukwueze’s inclusion in the 2019 Ballon d’Or Kopa award shortlist comes days after he was overlooked for the final 20-man shortlist for the Golden Boy award which is organised by Italian sports paper Tuttosport and awarded to the best player in Europe under the age of 21.

Chukwueze, 20, enjoyed a breakthrough season for Spanish La Liga side Villarreal last season and scored a goal for the Super Eagles in their bronze-winning 2019 African Cup Of Nations (AFCON) campaign.

He has already spoken about his desire to win the CAF award for the best African player within two years and appears to be well on the way to that target with this lastest nomination.

French World Cup winner and PSG forward Kylian Mbappe won the Ballon d’Or Kopa last year on the back of impressive performances for club and country. 

2019 Ballon d’Or Kopa Award 10-man Shortlist

João Félix (Atletico Madrid)

Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund)

Moise Kean (Everton)

Kang-in Lee (Valencia)

Matthijs de Ligt (Juventus)

Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid)

Kai Havertz (Bayer Leverkusen)

Mattéo Guendouzi (Arsenal)

Andreï Lounine (Real Valladolid)