Last update 28 October, 2024 by Alberto Llopis
The Golden Boy it's not just any prize, a prize more. This award, it was delivered every year by the Italian newspaper Tuttosport from the 2003. It is considered the Ballon d'Or of the young soccer talents. Year after year, several players fighting for this recognition, which it is granted after the vote 30 journalists from across Europe. It is delivered in the ballon d'or gala.
The Golden Boy: The Ballon d'Or for the youngest footballers
Among the winners of this award we can find players like Van der Vaart who was the first winner 2003, Rooney, Messi won it in 2005, Fabregas, Omen, Anderson, Pato, Balotelli, Idol, Isco and Pogba was that the mention was the best player under 21 years in 2013. Of the winners of theGolden Boy”, Van der Vaart, Rooney, Messi, FABREGAS and Aguero have had outstanding careers.
While, Balotelli tumbled a few times at a good level while Idol scored the goal that gave Germany the title in Brazil 2014 and arose to return to a World Cup in Qatar 2022. Isco and Pogba faded away while Anderson y Pato, They have not managed to stand out in football, and they are only recognized.
In recent years players like the Lies, Martial, Renato Sanches, Joao Felix, Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappé, Pedro y Gavi have been the Golden Boy winners. Next to nothing.
Golden Boy honors
2003, Rafael van der Vaart, Netherlands (Ajax)
2004, Wayne Rooney, England (Everton/Manchester United)
2005, Leo Messi, Argentina (Barça)
2006, Cesc Fabregas, Spain (Arsenal)
2007, Sergio Aguero, Argentina (Atlético)
2008, Anderson, Brazil (Manchester United)
2009, Alexander Pato, Brazil (AC Milan)
2010, Mario Balotelli, Italia (Inter/Mancheser City)
2011, Mario Götze, Germany(Dortmund)
2012, Isco, Spain (Málaga CF)
2013, Paul Pogba, France (Juventus)
2014, Raheem Sterling, England (Liverpool)
2015, Anthony Martial, France (Manchester United)
2016, Renato Sanches, Portugal (Benfica/Bayern Munich)
2017, Kylian Mbappé, France (Monaco/PSG)
2018, Matthew de Ligt, Netherlands (Ajax)
2019, João Felix, Portugal (Benfica/Atlético)
2020, Earl Haaland, Norway (Dortmund)
2021, Pedro, Spain (FC Barcelona)
2022, Gavi, Spain (FC Barcelona)
2023, Jude Bellingham, England (Dortmund/ Real Madrid)
2024, Lamine Yamal, Spain (Barcelona)