​The race for the prestigious 2024 Golden Boy award has captivated the football world, with a Barcelona starlet emerging as a frontrunner, narrowly edging out the promising duo from Manchester United.

Lamine Yamal: Barcelona’s Prodigious Talent

At the forefront of the power rankings is 16-year-old Lamine Yamal, the Barcelona winger who has stunned everyone with his incredible performances this season.17Yamal has quickly established himself as a regular in the Blaugrana’s first team, defying conventional wisdom by thriving in an isolated role on the right wing.17 His technical prowess, composed decision-making, and versatility have made him an invaluable asset for Barcelona, and he is widely tipped as a leading contender for the 2024 Golden Boy award.

Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho: Manchester United’s Rising Stars

Closely trailing Yamal are two promising talents from Manchester United – Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho. Mainoo, a 19-year-old midfielder, has been a revelation for the Red Devils, showcasing his maturity and ability to balance the team’s midfield. Garnacho, the Argentine winger, has also caught the eye with his dazzling displays, including a match-winning performance in the FA Cup final against Manchester City.

The Significance of the Golden Boy Award

The Golden Boy award, established by the Italian sports newspaper Tuttosport in 2003, has gained immense recognition over the years as one of the most prestigious accolades for young European footballers. The award is given to the best Under-21 player in Europe, with the selection process involving journalists from various high-profile football publications across the continent.

Countries and Clubs with the Most Golden Boy Winners

Spain and France have emerged as the countries with the most Golden Boy winners, with four and three victories respectively. In terms of clubs, Barcelona, Manchester United, and Borussia Dortmund lead the way with three winners each.

Positions and Nationalities of Golden Boy Winners

The award has been predominantly won by forwards and midfielders, with 10 victories each.1Only one defender, Matthijs de Ligt, has ever won the award. The nationalities of the winners are diverse, reflecting the international nature of European football, with Spain, England, France, and Argentina among the countries with multiple winners.

The Golden Boy Football Benchmark Index

To aid the selection process, the Golden Boy award has introduced the Golden Boy Football Benchmark (GBFB) Index, a data-driven tool that considers factors such as playing time, performances, and the strength of the player’s team. This index has played a crucial role in shaping the 2024 power rankings, with Lamine Yamal, João Neves, and Alejandro Garnacho topping the initial list.

The Emerging Talents Challenging for the 2024 Award

Beyond the Barcelona and Manchester United stars, the 2024 Golden Boy power rankings feature a host of other promising talents, including PSG’s Warren Zaïre-Emery, Brighton’s Evan Ferguson, and Benfica’s João Neves. These players have demonstrated their exceptional skills and potential, making the race for the award highly competitive.

The Influence of International Tournaments

The upcoming UEFA European Championship and Copa América in the summer of 2024 are expected to play a significant role in shaping the Golden Boy race, as players’ performances on the international stage will be closely scrutinized. This could provide a platform for players like Yamal, who has already earned call-ups to the Spanish national team, to further enhance their reputations and strengthen their claims for the coveted award

The Influence of the Golden Boy Football Benchmark (GBFB) Index

The Golden Boy Football Benchmark (GBFB) Index plays a crucial role in shaping the selection process for the prestigious Golden Boy award. ​The GBFB Index is a data-driven methodology developed by Football Benchmark to provide an objective evaluation of the recent on-pitch performances and sporting achievements of the top young talents in European football.

This index takes into account various factors, such as playing time, individual and team performances, and the strength of the player’s team, to generate a comprehensive assessment of each candidate. By leveraging this data-driven approach, the GBFB Index helps to ensure a more transparent and analytical selection process for the Golden Boy award, moving away from the more subjective and anecdotal assessments that have historically been used.

In the 2024 power rankings, the GBFB Index has placed Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho, and Benfica’s João Neves among the top contenders for the award. The inclusion of these players in the top positions of the index highlights their exceptional performances and the recognition they have earned through their on-field contributions, which are likely to be key factors in the final selection for the 2024 Golden Boy award. By incorporating the GBFB Index into the award selection process, the organizers of the Golden Boy award are aiming to ensure a more transparent, data-driven, and objective evaluation of the candidates, ultimately enhancing the credibility and prestige of the accolade