Lamine Yamal wins 2024 Golden Boy award
Lamine Yamal wins 2024 Golden Boy award. Barcelona teenage sensation Lamine Yamal has been crowned the 2024 Golden Boy award winner for his astounding breakout year and performances with Barcelona and Spain.
The sensational 17-year-old has emerged as one of the best young talents in world football over the past year and was recently named the Kopa Trophy winner at the Ballon d’Or ceremony at the end of October.
He has now added another prestigious award to his cabinets, beating the likes of Joao Neves, Alejandro Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo and Warren Zaire-Emery among others to claim the silverware.
The Golden Boy prize is awarded by Italian sport newspaper Tuttosport, to the best young footballer in the world. Previous winners include Lionel Messi, Wayne Rooney, Kylian Mbappe and most recent winner, victor Jude Bellingham.
Yamal is also the fifth Spaniard to take home the Golden Boy trophy, the most of any nation since it’s inception, following the footsteps and successes for Cesc Fabregas, Isco, Pedri and Gavi.
It completes a unique double for Barcelona, with women’s star Vicky Lopez also picking up the Golden Girl award. Aitana Bonmati was also named the Golden Player Woman 2024.
Having made his first-team debut at just 15 years, nine months and 16 days old in April 2023, Yamal soon cemented his spot under former manager Xavi Hernandez as he continued to impress with his fleet-footed dribbling and ability to create chances.
While Barca missed out on silverware in 2023/24, the teenager played a pivotal role during Spain’s glorious Euro 2024 run, scoring once and also providing four assists as he was accorded the Young Player of the Tournament award.
He has since scored six goals in 16 appearances in the 2024/25 season as the Blaugrana aim to regain their La Liga title, but a recent ankle injury has meant Yamal has had to miss three club games. However, he is expected to return to full fitness in time for Saturday’s clash with Las Palmas.
