Two Barcelona Players Win The World's Best Young Player Award

Lamine Yamal won the Golden Boy 2024 award (Instagram/@lamineyamal).

JAKARTA - Two Barcelona players won awards as the world's best young players. The two names are Lamine Yamal and Vicky Lopez (Barcelona Wanita).

Lamine Yamal won the Golden Boy 2024 award, while Vicky Lopez won the Golden Girl 2024 title on Wednesday, November 27, 2024.

As is known, the award is specifically for the best young Under-21 players in the world who have been initiated by Italian media, Tuttosport, since 2003.

There are 11 international sports newspapers involved in the vote. Setia, the owner of the vote, is allowed to nominate five players.

The jury will allocate 10 points for players on the top list, 7 points for second place, five points for third place, three points for fourth ladder, and one point for fifth.

Yamal, who is now 17 years old, became the third Barca player to win the award in the last four years, following in the footsteps of his teammates Pedri and Gavi.

Then, Lopez won the third edition of the women award after Jule Brand (Hoffenheim / Wolfsburg) and Linda Caicedo (Real Madrid). For this Golden Girl, a new award has been awarded since 2022.

Meanwhile, Yamal replaced Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) who won the trophy last year.

In total, there were four Barcelona players who won the title. Apart from Yamal, Pedri, and Gavi, there was Lionel Messi who got it in the 2005 edition.

This is the latest award Yamal has received since making his debut for Barcelona's senior team at the age of 15 in 2023.

In October 2024, he won the Kopa Trophy (young player award) at the Ballon d'Or ceremony.

Yamal was also eighth in the vote for the Ballon d'Or after an outstanding year with Barcelona and the Spanish national team.

He helped the Spanish national team win Euro 2024 last summer and played an important role in Barca's team under Manager Hansi Flick.

At Euro 2024, he was named the Best Young Player of the Tournament, included in the Best Team of the Tournament.

In addition, his goal in the semifinals against France was named the Tournament's Best Goal.

For the Blaugrana, Yamal has broken various age-related records for appearances, goals, and assists.

In 16 appearances in all competitions this season, he has scored six goals and provided eight assists.

However, Yamal has missed Barcelona's last three games due to an ankle injury.

However, Flick spoke after a win against Brest in the Champions League on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, that he could return for La Liga on Saturday, November 30, 2024, against Las Palmas.