Golden Boy winners: full list through 2026
Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona) is listed as the 2026 Golden Boy award winner in a compilation of every recipient of the Europe-focused young-player prize since its 2003 inception, published on 2026-11-09. The article reproduces the annual winners named by the award since it was established.
The Golden Boy Award is given only to players who are younger than the age of 21 and play in Europe’s top leagues. The prize was established in 2003 by the Italian newspaper Tuttosport, with sports journalists from all over Europe selecting the most promising young talent. Barcelona duo Pedri and Gavi won the award in successive calendar years, 2021 and 2022 respectively, and the 2023 award went to Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid).
The list begins with Rafael van der Vaart (Ajax) as the 2003 winner, followed by Wayne Rooney (Manchester United) in 2004 and Lionel Messi (Barcelona) in 2005. Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal) is recorded for 2006, Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid) for 2007 and Anderson (Manchester United) for 2008. Alexander Pato (AC Milan) is listed for 2009 and Mario Balotelli (AC Milan and Manchester City) for 2010.
Mario Gotze (Borussia Dortmund) is shown as the 2011 recipient and Isco (Real Madrid) for 2012; Paul Pogba (Juventus) is listed for 2013. Raheem Sterling (Liverpool) appears for 2014 and Anthony Martial (Monaco and Manchester United) for 2015. Renato Sanches (Benfica and Bayern Munich) is recorded for 2016, Kylian Mbappe (Monaco and PSG) for 2017 and Matthis de Ligit (Ajax) for 2018.
Joao Felix (Benfica and Atletico Madrid) is listed as the 2019 winner and Erling Haaland (Borussia Dortmund) as the 2020 recipient. The compilation records later winners Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) for 2024 and Desire Doue (PSG) for 2025. Several entries note multiple club affiliations in the year cited, for example Mario Balotelli (AC Milan and Manchester City) and Anthony Martial (Monaco and Manchester United).
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