The race for the 2025 Golden Boy award, an annual prize from Italian newspaper Tuttosport honoring Europe’s best under-21 player, is fiercely competitive. Désiré Doué, a 19-year-old PSG forward, and Pau Cubarsí, an 18-year-old Barcelona defender, stand out as favorites, with standout performances between October 7, 2024, and May 18, 2025. The award, presented in December, evaluates young talents from top European leagues, with voting by journalists from outlets like Bild, L’Équipe, and Marca. Lamine Yamal, the 2024 winner, is ineligible due to the rule preventing consecutive wins, opening the door for new names. Held in Turin, the award celebrates the next generation of soccer, with past winners including Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé.
The Golden Boy is a barometer of soccer’s future. Since 2003, it has recognized players who often become global icons. This year, the initial list of 100 candidates was narrowed to 25 finalists, with French and Spanish players dominating. The award also includes the Golden Boy Web, decided by public vote, boosting contenders’ visibility.
- Top candidates: Désiré Doué (PSG), Pau Cubarsí (Barcelona), Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal).
- Criteria: under-21 players from UEFA’s top-25 leagues, based on club and national team performance.
- Evaluation period: October 7, 2024, to May 18, 2025.
Favorites in the spotlight
Désiré Doué, with 95.3 points in the Golden Boy Football Benchmark Index, leads the race. The Frenchman scored twice and provided an assist in the 2025 Champions League final, where PSG thrashed Inter Milan 5-0. At 19, he’s a key player for PSG, with 24 direct goal contributions in Ligue 1. His versatility and big-game impact put him ahead, but the competition is tight.
Pau Cubarsí, with 95 points, is Catalonia’s defensive prodigy. At 18, he’s played over 50 matches for Barcelona in the 2024/25 season, anchoring their treble-winning campaign (La Liga, Copa del Rey, and Spanish Super Cup). His maturity, likened to Gerard Piqué’s, stands out. He broke the record as the youngest defender to start a Champions League quarterfinal, at 17 years and 79 days.
Other top-10 names, like Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri from Arsenal, and Warren Zaïre-Emery from PSG, also shine. Lewis-Skelly, a versatile midfielder-defender, is a cornerstone for Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal. Zaïre-Emery, though not a regular starter, remains consistent for PSG, while Nwaneri, at 18, has 9 goals and 2 assists in 37 Premier League games.
Golden Boy Ranking, July 2025 – According to Score 90 🏆⭐️ pic.twitter.com/tLMcnUktht
— Score 90 (@Score90_) July 22, 2025
History and prestige of the Golden Boy
Created in 2003, the award has crowned stars like Rafael van der Vaart, Lionel Messi, Wayne Rooney, and Erling Haaland. The trophy is decided by journalists from 12 European newspapers, assigning points from 10 to 1 for their top five picks. The system ensures objectivity, while the fan-voted Golden Boy Web adds a popular element.
- Notable winners:
- 2005: Lionel Messi (Barcelona).
- 2017: Kylian Mbappé (Monaco).
- 2020: Erling Haaland (Borussia Dortmund).
- 2024: Lamine Yamal (Barcelona).
Barcelona has dominated recently, with three wins in the last five years: Pedri (2021), Gavi (2022), and Yamal (2024). A Cubarsí victory would mark a fourth Catalan triumph in a short span, underscoring La Masia’s strength.
Emerging talents in the race
Beyond the leaders, other youngsters shine. Dean Huijsen, a 20-year-old Spanish defender, jumped from 89th to 6th in the ranking after stellar performances for Bournemouth, earning a move to Real Madrid. Kenan Yildiz, Juventus’ 2024 Golden Boy Web winner, is a strong contender with 84.8 points. The 20-year-old Turk, blending technique and speed, is coveted by clubs like Barcelona.
Geovany Quenda, from Sporting, also stands out. At 18, he climbed from 92nd to 9th, securing a 2026 move to Chelsea. Arda Güler, of Real Madrid, rounds out the top 10, but faces internal competition from Endrick, the only Brazilian in the initial 100-candidate list. Endrick’s underwhelming start in Spain dims his chances.
- Other contenders:
- Warren Zaïre-Emery: 19, PSG midfielder, 87.3 points.
- Ethan Nwaneri: 18, Arsenal attacking midfielder, 82.6 points.
- Geovany Quenda: 18, Sporting winger, 81.6 points.
Ranking criteria and methodology
The Golden Boy Football Benchmark Index, developed by Football Benchmark with Tuttosport, evaluates players on three pillars: on-field performance, minutes played, and club strength. Metrics like passes, tackles, goals, and contributions in UEFA competitions and national teams are analyzed. Only players born after January 1, 2005, from UEFA’s top-25 leagues are eligible.
The evaluation period, from October 2024 to May 2025, covers club and international performances. The initial 100-candidate list is cut to 25 finalists in October, with five wildcard picks by Tuttosport. The final vote in November determines the winner, announced at a Turin ceremony on December 16.
- Evaluation pillars:
- On-field performance: goals, assists, passes, and tackles.
- Minutes played: regularity in clubs and national teams.
- Club strength: impact in elite competitions like the Champions League.
Impact of the award on soccer
The Golden Boy is more than a trophy; it’s a predictor of potential. Winners like Messi, Mbappé, and Haaland became global benchmarks, while others, like Anderson (2008) and Renato Sanches (2016), faded. The award highlights clubs’ ability to nurture talent, with Barcelona leading the way.
The 2025 edition reflects the dominance of La Liga, Ligue 1, and the Premier League, with France (17 candidates) and Spain (8 candidates) leading the initial list. Players from smaller clubs, like Sporting’s Geovany Quenda, show Europe’s soccer diversity. The rise of young defenders, with 39 in the initial 100-candidate list compared to 25 in 2024, is notable.
Players to watch until year-end
With months left in the evaluation period, others could rise. Myles Lewis-Skelly’s versatility at Arsenal and Ethan Nwaneri’s record as the Premier League’s youngest debutant at 15 keep them in contention. PSG’s Senny Mayulu, a dark horse, could surprise.
The Golden Boy Web fan vote will also stir the race. Kenan Yildiz, the 2024 winner, is favored to repeat, but Barcelona’s fanbase could boost Cubarsí. The December ceremony will be a defining moment for soccer’s next generation.
