Barcelona and Spain’s rising star, Lamine Yamal, etched his name in history at the Golden Boy ceremony by claiming the inaugural ‘The Youngest’ award. Throughout the year, the teenager consistently shattered records, marking a significant breakthrough.
In April, Yamal made history as Barcelona’s youngest player at 15 years, 9 months, and 16 days. A mere four months later, he became the youngest starter in a Champions League game at 16 years and 83 days, surpassing Celestine Babayaro’s previous record. Notably, he secured the title of Spain’s youngest goalscorer and outperformed Gareth Bale as the youngest scorer in a European Championship qualification match.
Recognizing his remarkable achievements, Yamal received ‘The Youngest’ trophy at the Golden Boy ceremony, a testament to his distinction as the youngest player ever on the Golden Boy podium.
In a separate achievement, Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham clinched the 2023 Golden Boy title with an outstanding 97% of the vote.
Bellingham, topping La Liga’s goalscoring charts with 10 goals in 11 games, joins the ranks of La Liga winners, following Barcelona’s Pedri (2021) and Gavi (2022).
Expressing gratitude, Bellingham acknowledged the pivotal roles played by Birmingham, Dortmund, and Madrid in his journey. He credited his family for unwavering support and motivation, emphasizing a commitment to push his potential limits and aspire to further trophies.
In addition to Bellingham’s recognition, Barcelona and Spain midfielder Aitana Bonmati, a recent Ballon d’Or recipient, received the Golden Player Woman award, adding to the celebration of outstanding talent in football.