Author of a year 2024 full of prowess with FC Barcelona and Spain, Lamine Yamal won the Golden Boy trophy. The equivalent of the Ballon d’Or for young talents. Every year, the Italian daily Tuttosport awards the Golden Boy, an individual distinction rewarding the best young player under the age of 21 playing in Europe. A highly renowned trophy, which has rewarded some of the best players on the planet today. In previous editions, Kylian Mbappé (2017), Erling Haaland (2020), Pedri (2021), Gavi (2022) and Jude Bellingham (2023) notably won this prize.
To succeed the English international, 25 players were named, including five French: Warren Zaïre-Emery and Désiré Doué (Paris Saint-Germain), Leny Yoro (Manchester United), Mathys Tel (Bayern Munich), as well as Wilson Odobert (Tottenham). Added to these names were those of Arda Güler and Endrick (Real Madrid), Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Rico Lewis (Manchester City), João Neves (Paris Saint-Germain), Alexander Pavlović (Bayern Munich ) and Pau Cubarsí (FC Barcelona). But the final result left no room for surprise, since it was Lamine Yamal who won this Golden Boy 2024.
Lamine Yamal well ahead in the votes
The native of Esplugues de Llobregat won this 22nd edition and therefore crowns himself as the biggest nugget of the Old Continent. A fair reward for the one who was the main satisfaction of last season for FC Barcelona. At just 17 years old, he delighted observers on the pitches of La Liga, but also in the Champions League. He finished his season with 7 goals and 9 assists in 50 games played. A decent total for a player of his age. His performances also caught the eye of Luis de la Fuente who decided to call on him for the Euro in Germany.
A competition in which Lamine Yamal made the whole world agree. Starting his very first major tournament with the national team, the Barça player finished best passer (4) – including one in the final – and best young player in this European Nations Championship. An accomplishment which had already allowed him to win the Kopa Trophy and be ranked 8th in the France Football 2024 Ballon d’Or, last October. With this Golden Boy, Yamal becomes the fourth Barça player to win the most prestigious trophy for players under 21, after Gavi, Pedri and Lionel Messi (2005). He is only 17 years old, but Lamine Yamal still confirms that he will have to be counted on in the years to come. In particular, for the Ballon d’Or.
