Barcelona’s teenage prodigy, Lamine Yamal, has added another prestigious accolade to his burgeoning collection by winning the 2024 Golden Boy award.

Presented by the Italian newspaper Tuttosport, this award recognizes Yamal as the preeminent under-21 player in European football, which serves as a testament to his remarkable year.

Yamal, who only turned 17 this year, has expressed his joy and pride upon receiving this honour, stating, “For me, I’m very proud to win the 2024 Golden Boy Trophy. I’m very happy, it’s a dream.

“This has been an incredible year and it’s ending like that as well. I’m very happy and let’s go for more.”

A star in the making

His season with Barcelona has been nothing short of spectacular, contributing significantly with six goals and eight assists in 16 appearances this season under the guidance of manager Hansi Flick.

Yamal’s impact was further acknowledged when he won the Kopa Trophy at the Ballon d’Or ceremony in October, marking him as the world’s leading young talent.

This award marks another chapter in Barcelona’s rich history of nurturing young talents, with Yamal following in the footsteps of club legends like Lionel Messi, and teammates Pedri and Gavi.

His win makes him the fifth Spanish player to claim the Golden Boy, after Fabregas, Isco, and the Barcelona duo.

Despite an ankle injury sidelining him recently, Yamal’s sights are set on returning to action with Barcelona before attending the Golden Boy gala on December 16.

His international prowess was highlighted during the summer when he played a crucial role in Spain’s European Championship victory, where he not only scored a pivotal goal but also provided four assists, earning him the Young Player of the Tournament award.