Seventeen-year-old Lamine Yamal has been topped the 2024 Golden Boy, awarded yearly by Tuttosport to the very best U21 participant in European soccer. The FC Barcelona winger follows within the footsteps of Actual Madrid’s Jude Bellingham (2023 winner) and turns into the third Barcelona participant to say the accolade prior to now 4 years, after Pedri (2021) and Gavi (2022).
That is the fifth time a Spanish participant has received the Golden Boy, highlighting the power of Spanish youth soccer. Earlier Spanish winners embody Cesc Fàbregas (2006), Isco Alarcón (2012), Pedri, Gavi, and now Yamal.
Lionel Messi received the identical recognition in 2005, a 12 months after his skilled debut. Yamal is following within the footsteps of the Argentine star, in search of to change into Barca’s new celebrity.
The Tuttosport awards didn’t cease there. German midfielder Toni Kroos, just lately retired after a stellar profession, notably with Actual Madrid, was awarded the Golden Participant for his excellent efficiency final season.
The Spanish domination continues within the girls’s class. Vicky López, a midfielder for FC Barcelona, secured the Golden Woman award. Her teammate, Aitana Bonmatí, additional solidified Spain’s dominance by successful the Golden Girl award, cementing her place as one of many world’s greatest gamers after securing the final two Ballon d’Or awards.
Yamal’s meteoric rise
Yamal’s ascension to the highest of European soccer has been nothing wanting meteoric. His unbelievable performances final season, culminating in a triumphant European Championship marketing campaign for Spain, solidified him because the frontrunner for the Golden Boy. The Mataró-born winger shortly grew to become a key determine for each membership and nation.
Yamal’s skilled debut with FC Barcelona got here within the 2022-23 season, beneath the watchful eye of Xavi Hernández, that includes within the latter levels of a match in opposition to Actual Betis. Final season, his influence was simple— seven objectives and 7 assists in 50 appearances for the Blaugrana.
This way caught the attention of the Spanish nationwide workforce supervisor, Luis de la Fuente, who gave Yamal his worldwide debut in opposition to Georgia in a European Championship qualifier. Yamal’s debut was nothing wanting sensational, scoring his first objective for La Roja at simply 16 years and 57 days previous, setting a brand new file because the youngest participant ever to attain for Spain.
Yamal’s outstanding expertise shone brightly in the course of the European Championship. He shaped a dynamic partnership with Nico Williams, remodeling Spain’s wings into an unstoppable power. His contributions performed an important position in Spain’s victory, additional cementing his standing as certainly one of European soccer’s most fun younger abilities.
With the Golden Boy award secured, Lamine Yamal has cemented his place among the many elite. His expertise, dedication, and potential make him one of the thrilling prospects in world soccer. The long run seems exceptionally vivid for this distinctive younger participant.
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