ROME (Reuters) - Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal won the 2024 Golden Boy award, the Turin-based media outlet Tuttosport announced.
Starting in 2003, the Golden Boy prize rewards the best players aged 21 or under in Europe. Dutchman Rafael van der Vaart won the first edition, while Lionel Messi, Mario Balotelli, Kylian Mbappe are also on the winners list.
Following his Kopa Trophy, 17-year-old Yamal is the favorite to win this year’s Golden Boy award, as he played a pivotal role in Spain’s victorious Euro 2024 campaign. Kobbie Mainoo of Manchester United, Arda Guler of Real Madrid, and Juventus duo Samuel Mbangula and Kenan Yildiz were also nominated.
The winger became the third Barcelona player to win the award in the past four years, following Pedri in 2021 and Gavi in 2022. Jude Bellingham of Real Madrid became the winner last year.