On Monday night, Lamine Yamal of Barcelona took home the inaugural Golden Boy The Youngest title, while Aitana Bonmati won the Golden Woman award.
The 16-year-old Barcelona sensation broke numerous records for both his club and his country, Spain, in 2023, making him the youngest player to appear on the Golden Boy gala podium. He also took home the first-ever Golden Boy The Youngest trophy for 2023.
The Catalan giants also saw their star player Aitana Bonmati bag the Golden Woman prize. Last season, the 25-year-old won the Champions League with her club and then helped Spain to glory at the Women’s World Cup 2023 before finally landing the prestigious Women’s Ballon d’Or award.
DID YOU KNOW?
Upon receiving the Golden Boy The Youngest prize, Yamal revealed that his next target is to win the Golden Boy award next year and emulate his boyhood hero Lionel Messi, who won it in 2005. Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham got his hands on the award for 2023 on the back of his record-breaking start to life at Santiago Bernabeu.
WHAT NEXT FOR BARCELONA?
After an important win over Atletico Madrid during the weekend, Xavi’s Barca side will now aim to beat second-placed Girona on Sunday and close the gap on La Liga leaders and arch-rivals Real Madrid. Yamal will be in line to feature, having started seven of Barca’s 15 La Liga games so far this term.
