Netherlands legend Rafael van der Vaart is the first winner of the Golden Boy award, while Lamine Yamal is the 2024 Golden Boy award winner. He is the youngest winner in the history of this award (not even Lionel Messi won it at the age of 17). The 17-year-old Barcelona and Spain star played a key role in Spain’s Euro 2024 victory.
The Golden Boy Award was established in 2003 by the Italian sports magazine Tuttosport. This annual award is given to young football talents (wonderkids) playing at the top level of a European nation under the age of 21.
Generally, a player can win this award only once, the winner of the award is determined by vote. Sports journalists participating in the poll include journalists from Bild (Germany), L’Equipe (France), France Football (France), Marca (France), Mundo Deportivo (Spain), etc.
Each voter can nominate five players with 10 points for the most influential player, 5 points for the second, 3 points for the third and 1 point for the fourth and fifth.
Here is the full list of Golden Boy Award winners from 2003 to 2024.
Full List of Golden Boy Award winners
Year
Winner
Club
2024
Lamine Yamal
Barcelona
2023
Jude Bellingham
Borussia Dortmund, Real Madrid
2022
Gavi
Barcelona
2021
Pedri
Barcelona
2020
Erling Haaland
Borussia Dortmund
2019
João Félix
Benfica, Atlético Madrid
2018
Matthijs de Ligt
Ajax
2017
Kylian Mbappé
Monaco, Paris Saint-Germain
2016
Renato Sanches
Benfica, Bayern Munich
2015
Anthony Martial
Monaco, Manchester United
2014
Raheem Sterling
Liverpool
2013
Paul Pogba
Juventus
2012
Isco
Málaga
2011
Mario Götze
Borussia Dortmund
2010
Mario Balotelli
Inter Milan, Manchester City
2009
Alexandre Pato
Milan
2008
Anderson
Manchester United
2007
Sergio Agüero
Atlético Madrid
2006
Cesc Fàbregas
Arsenal
2005
Lionel Messi
Barcelona
2004
Wayne Rooney
Everton, Manchester United
2003
Rafael van der Vaart
Ajax
Golden Boy Award winners by:
Spain holds the record for the most Golden Boy Award winners, boasting 5 recipients, On the club side, Barcelona leads with 4 winners.
By Nationality:
Spain: 5 winners (most successful nation)
England and France: 3 winners each
Argentina, Brazil, Netherlands, and Portugal: 2 winners each
Germany, Italy, and Norway: 1 winner each
By Club:
Barcelona: 4 winners (most successful club)
Borussia Dortmund and Manchester United: 3 winners each
