Some of the best players to ever lace up a pair of boots have been recognized with the Golden Boy award since its inception in 2003.

Created by Italian newspaper Tuttosport, the award honors the best young talent in soccer. Players under the age of 21 and playing in one of Europe’s top-flight leagues are eligible to take home the honor, voted for by journalists from publications across the continent.

Over the last 23 years, Golden Boy winners have gone on to become legends of the game. In fact, some players are already superstars when they lift the individual accolade.

The exclusive list of previous winners includes Lionel Messi, Wayne Rooney, Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal, with many bestowed with the prize going on to succeed for years to come.

Here’s a full rundown of the award’s history.

Jump to:

1. Golden Boy Winners
2. What Club Has the Most Golden Boy Winners?
3. Who Is the Youngest Golden Boy Winner?

Golden Boy Winners

What Club Has the Most Golden Boy Winners?

Uniquely, the Golden Boy award takes into consideration a full calendar year compared to the Kopa Trophy which is based on a full season.

Barcelona lead the way with five Golden Boy winners. When Yamal took home the honor in 2024, the Catalans broke their tie with Borussia Dortmund and Manchester United to become the club with the most recipients in the award’s history. That lead was extended by Cubarsí’s victory in 2026.

Dortmund and Man Utd remain tied in second place with three winners each. The Red Devils’ last recipient came a decade ago, though, when Martial won the award in 2015. Bellingham, meanwhile, snagged the accolade for BVB (and Real Madrid) in 2023.

Ajax, Atlético Madrid, Monaco and Benfica are level in fourth place with two winners each.

Who Is the Youngest Golden Boy Winner?

Yamal became the youngest player to win the Golden Boy award when he received the honor in 2024. The Spaniard claimed the piece of silverware at 17 years and 137 days old.

The previous record was held by Yamal’s Barcelona teammate Gavi, who was named the 2022 Golden Boy at 18 days and 77 years old.

In the trophy’s 23-year history, Yamal is the only 17-year-old to ever win the Golden Boy award. He was not nominated for the honor in 2025 and 2026 because no player can win the award twice.