From Rafael van der Vaart, first winner in 2003, to Jude Bellingham, defending champion, the Golden Boy has rewarded many future great players in recent years. Let us specify, in this respect, that Lionel Messi (2005), Paul Pogba (2013), Kylian Mbappé (2017) and Erling Haaland (2020) notably won this individual trophy, which honors the best U21 player playing in Europe. A reward launched more than 20 years ago by the Italian media Tuttosport. This Thursday evening, the Turin sports daily revealed the 25 finalists after a first list of 100 names revealed last June.
Big favorite for the final victory, Lamine Yamal is very present. Just like his FC Barcelona teammate: Pau Cubarsi. A reduced list where we also find five French talents. Considered one of the greatest hopes in his position, Mathys Tel (Bayern Munich) thus participates in the final fight. This is also the case for the two Parisians Désiré Doué and Warren Zaire-Emery. Now in the colors of Manchester United, former Lille player Leny Yoro is also among the 25 finalists, along with Wilson Odobert, transferred to Tottenham last summer.
Lamine Yamal undisputed favorite?
As for Ligue 1, note the presence of the Monegasque nugget Eliesse Ben Seghir (19 years old), sparkling at the start of the season. With a player in the top 25 but above all 5 players in the list of 100, ASM was also the best represented team with Brighton. But that’s not all. Arriving in the French capital from Benfica this summer, Joao Neves is also there. Finally, among the European big names and to complete this prestigious list, we find Madrid’s Endrick and Arda Güler, Jamie Bynoe-Gittens (Borussia Dortmund) and Savinho (Manchester City).
Also note that Juventus Turin is well represented with two players: Kenan Yıldız and Samuel Mbangula, one less than Manchester United which – in addition to Leny Yoro – has Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo. Oscar Gloukh (RB Salzburg), Jorrel Hato (Ajax Amsterdam), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace), Cristhian Mosquera (Valencia), Andreas Schjelderup (Benfica), Rico Lewis (Manchester City), Samu Omorodion (FC Porto) and Aleksandar Pavlovic (Bayern Munich) are also named among the 25 finalists.
The 25 finalists for the Golden Boy 2024
-Endrick (Real Madrid)
-Samuel Mbangula (Juventus)
-Wilson Odobert (Tottenham)
-Andreas Schjelderup (Benfica)
– Eliesse Ben Seghir (AS Monaco)
– Lamine Yamal (FC Barcelona)
– Pau Cubarsi (FC Barcelona)
– Rico Lewis (Manchester City)
– Mathys Tel (Bayern Munich)
– Désiré Doué (PSG)
– Warren Zaire-Emery (PSG)
-Joao Neves (PSG)
– Leny Yoro (Manchester United)
-Jamie Bynoe-Gittens (Borussia Dortmund)
– Arda Guler (Real Madrid)
-Samu Omorodion (FC Porto)
-Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United)
-Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United)
– Aleksandar Pavlovic (Bayern Munich)
-Oscar Gloukh (RB Salzburg)
-Jorrel Hato (Ajax Amsterdam)
– Kenan Yıldız (Juventus)
-Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace)
-Cristian Mosquera (Valence)
-Savinho (Manchester City)
