The Golden Boy award honors the brightest young talent in Europe each year, and over the last decade, it has often found its home in La Masia. Let’s take a look at the last 10 winners of the award:
Last 10 Golden Boy Winners (2015–2024)
2024 – Lamine Yamal (Spain, Barcelona)
2023 – Jude Bellingham (England, Real Madrid)
2022 – Pablo Gavi (Spain, Barcelona)
2021 – Pedri (Spain, Barcelona)
2020 – Erling Haaland (Norway, Borussia Dortmund)
2019 – João Félix (Portugal, Benfica)
2018 – Matthijs de Ligt (Netherlands, Ajax)
2017 – Kylian Mbappé (France, PSG)
2016 – Renato Sanches (Portugal, Bayern Munich)
2015 – Anthony Martial (France, Manchester United)
Here’s the Full list of Golden Boy Award Winners
From this list, 3 of the last 4 winners were Barcelona players. That’s not coincidence. That’s legacy.
While many top clubs chase teenage stars with hefty price tags, Barcelona simply cultivates theirs. Pedri, Gavi, and Yamal didn’t just win individual awards—they became pillars of both club and country before turning 20.
And the story isn’t over yet. In 2025, Pau Cubarsí has already emerged as one of the frontrunners for the next Golden Boy. A composed defender with maturity beyond his years, he’s carrying the same flame lit by those before him.
Barcelona might be facing financial restrictions and squad rebuilds, but in the world of youth development, they remain untouchable. When others shop, Barça builds. When others scout, Barça grows. La Masia isn’t just an academy. It’s a kingdom. And the crown keeps finding new heads to sit on. title
