Matthijs de Ligt Fends Off Competition From Jadon Sancho & Joao Felix to Win 2019 Kopa Trophy

Juventus centre-back Matthijs de Ligt has won the 2019 Kopa Trophy, awarded to the best player in the world under the age of 21.

Following a marvellous season with boyhood side Ajax, the Dutchman was lured to Turin in the summer, with La Vecchia Signora paying the Eredivisie champions €75m for his services. His immaculate performances saw him beat off competition from Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho and Atletico Madrid's Joao Felix, who finished second and third, respectively.

The 20-year-old was an integral component of the Ajax team that reached the ​Champions League semi finals in May - de Godenzonen losing to a last-gasp Lucas Moura strike for ​Tottenham Hotspur.

Nevertheless, captain De Ligt lead his recruits to a domestic double, with the starlet's superb displays earning him a spot in the Netherlands' first-choice backline, and seeing him named Dutch footballer of the year.

He was also included in the FIFA FIFPro World XI for 2019 after an unbelievable campaign for Ajax, during which he seven goals in 55 appearances.

​Juve are currently second in ​Serie A behind ​Inter, though they remain unbeaten, and have dropped just six points all season.

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