Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal has been named the 2024 Golden Boy, making history as the youngest-ever recipient of the award at just 17 years and four months. His achievement comes after playing a key role in Spain’s triumph at Euro 2024, as reported by Italian sports newspaper Tuttosport on Wednesday.
The prestigious award, which honors players under the age of 21 in Europe, saw Yamal selected over Real Madrid’s Arda Güler and Paris Saint-Germain’s Warren Zaire-Emery.
“For me, it’s a pride to win the Golden Boy. I’m very happy and it’s a dream. I don’t want to forget my teammates, my coaches, the staff of both Barça and the Spanish national team. It’s been an incredible year and it’s also ending in an incredible way”. Yamal said.
🚨✨ BREAKING: Lamine Yamal wins the Golden Boy Award 2024 as Best Young Talent in the world. pic.twitter.com/MF71WGrWow
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 27, 2024
A panel of 50 seasoned sports journalists selected Yamal as the winner from an initial pool of 100 young talents, eventually narrowing it down to 25 finalists. Another Barcelona player, Pau Cubarsi, also made it to the final list. Cubarsi has been a key figure in Hansi Flick’s tactical setup, particularly renowned for his role in executing the team’s “off-side traps.”
Yamal was named Young Player of Euro 2024 in Germany, where he became the youngest player ever to appear in a final. His goal in the semi-final win over France also made him the tournament’s youngest scorer. He made history as the youngest player to win the Euros when Spain defeated England 2-1 in the final. At the Ballon d’Or ceremony last month, Yamal took home the Kopa Trophy as the best under-21 player, finishing eighth in the overall rankings.
He has maintained his impressive form this season, netting five goals in 12 league appearances for La Liga leaders Barcelona, the club where he rose through the ranks of the famed La Masia academy, just like Lionel Messi.
With six goals and eight assists in 16 appearances across all competitions this season, he has been in impressive form. Although he has missed Barcelona’s last three matches due to an ankle injury, coach Flick mentioned after Tuesday’s Champions League victory over Brest that he might be fit to return for Saturday’s La Liga clash against Las Palmas.
Mohd Faisal Hakak is a sports author from Kashmir. He likes to keep tabs on the sporting world with a keen interest in football, motorsports, NBA, and other marquee sports. He is a science graduate from Islamia College Srinagar.
