Xavi Brushes Off Bayern Munich Manager Julian Nagelsmann’s Criticisms of Gavi Winning Kopa Trophy

• Xavi has stated that Barcelona midfielder Gavi deserved to win the Kopa Trophy during the 2022 Ballon d’Or awards
• The Barcelona manager ignored Julian Nagelsmann’s comments suggesting Gavi should have not won the award ahead of Jude Bellingham and Jamal Musiala
• Gavi and Musiala will once again square up against each other in the UEFA Champions League next week, when Barcelona host Bayern Munich

Xavi has leaped to the defense of Gavi, after it was suggested the Barcelona midfielder does not deserve the Kopa Trophy awarded to the best young player in the world.

Bayern Munich manager, Julian Nagelsmann claimed that either Jamal Musiala or Jude Bellingham would have been more deserving selections than Gavi.

Xavi has now disregarded Nagelsmann’s claims, refusing to be drawn in a war of words with his Bayern Munich counterpart and rather extolling the virtues of Gavi, Metro UK reports.

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“For me it is a much-deserved trophy. Barca are alive, Barca are there. Although we are not enjoying the best results, we are still there.”

Xavi will square up with Nagelsmann for the first time since the Ballon d’Or awards when the Champions League returns next week, as Barcelona fight to keep their hopes alive.

Ballon d'Or: Davies backs Musiala

Meanwhile, Bayern Munich defender Alphonso Davies feels teammate Jamal Musiala was cheated after losing the Kopa Trophy award to Barcelona midfielder Gavi, Goal reports.

Musiala finished third in the Kopa Trophy rankings which were revealed on Monday night, but the Bayern Munich youngster is being tipped to win the Ballon d'Or in the future by Davies.

The 19-year-old scored eight times and contributed eight assists for Bayern Munich on their way to the Bundesliga title last season.

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Barcelona's Gavi wins Kopa trophy

Earlier, Sports Brief reported on Barcelona and Spain midfield prospect Gavi winning the Kopa Trophy for the best player under 21 of the last season, at the Ballon d'Or ceremony in Paris on Monday.

The 18-year-old, whose full name is Pablo Martin Paez Gavira, succeeds his Barcelona teammate Pedri who won the prize last year.

Kylian Mbappe and Matthijs de Ligt are also former winners of the award, which is named after former Real Madrid and France star Raymond Kopa.