After a stellar 2024 season with FC Barcelona and the Spanish national team, Lamine Yamal has claimed the prestigious 2024 Golden Boy award, succeeding Jude Bellingham, the 2023 winner. The 17-year-old winger solidified his status as a global football prodigy with his dazzling performances for both club and country, adding his name to a legendary list of past winners.
At just 17 years old, Lamine Yamal, the Spanish sensation from FC Barcelona, has been crowned the 2024 Golden Boy. This prestigious award, presented annually by the Italian newspaper Tuttosport, recognizes the best player under 21 competing in Europe. Often considered the equivalent of the Ballon d’Or for young talents, the trophy marks another milestone in the promising career of the right winger.
Born in Esplugues de Llobregat, Lamine Yamal impressed throughout 2024. With 7 goals and 9 assists in 50 matches across all competitions for Barça, he has established himself as a key asset in the Catalan squad. His outstanding performances in La Liga and the Champions League have made him one of the most followed and admired players in Europe.
His brilliant season also left a mark at Euro 2024 in Germany. Representing Spain, he stood out as the tournament’s top assist provider with four assists, including one in the final. These achievements earned him the title of Best Young Player of the competition, an eighth-place finish in the 2024 Ballon d’Or rankings by France Football, and the Kopa Trophy.
A Prestigious Lineage of Winners
With this award, Lamine Yamal becomes the fourth FC Barcelona player to win the Golden Boy, following in the footsteps of Lionel Messi (2005), Pedri (2021), and Gavi (2022). The accolade, which has also recognized stars like Kylian Mbappé (2017) and Erling Haaland (2020), underscores Barça’s ability to nurture exceptional talents.
Fierce Competition
For this 22nd edition, Yamal outpaced a prestigious shortlist of 25 young talents, including several French players such as Warren Zaïre-Emery and Désiré Doué (PSG), Mathys Tel (Bayern Munich), and Wilson Odobert (Tottenham). Other nominees included prodigies like Arda Güler and Endrick (Real Madrid), Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United), and Rico Lewis (Manchester City).
A Rising Star Aiming for the Ballon d’Or
With this triumph, Lamine Yamal solidifies his status as a gem of European football and strengthens his position as a serious contender for even more prestigious accolades in the future, including the Ballon d’Or. At just 17 years old, it is clear that the Spanish winger is destined to shine on the global football stage for years to come.
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