Barcelona’s rising star, Lamine Yamal, has been crowned the winner of the prestigious 2024 Golden Boy Award, further cementing his reputation as one of the brightest young talents in football.
The 17-year-old forward made history as the youngest-ever recipient of the accolade, which is awarded annually to the best under-21 male player in the world.
Expressing his gratitude, Yamal said, “For me, it’s an honour to win the Golden Boy award. I’m very happy, and it’s a dream. Above all, I want to thank the jury members, Tuttosport, and the fans who voted for me to achieve this award.”
He added, “I don’t want to forget my teammates, my coaches, and the staff from both Barça and the Spanish national team. It’s been an incredible year, and it’s ending in an incredible way. I’m very happy and aiming for more.”
Yamal’s win continues a dominant streak for FC Barcelona in the Golden Boy awards, with his teammates Pedri and Gavi previously claiming the honour in 2021 and 2022 respectively. His contributions at both club and international levels over the past year have earned him widespread acclaim.
The success of Barcelona’s young talents was further highlighted as Vicky López of Barça Femení clinched the Golden Girl Award, which recognizes the top under-21 women’s player. López became the third recipient of the women’s award, following Jule Brand and Linda Caicedo, reinforcing the club’s commitment to nurturing exceptional talent across genders.
With this historic achievement, Yamal has set his sights on even greater success, embodying the ambition and drive that have already made him a standout figure in football. As the year closes, his Golden Boy triumph marks a fitting conclusion to a phenomenal season for the young prodigy.
