The Golden Boy award, which honours those who have made a major impression in elite events, is given annually to the finest young football player under the age of 21. With a new generation of extraordinary talents rising throughout Europe, the competition is more intense than ever as 2025 approaches. This year’s competition is looking to be among the most competitive in recent memory, with players ranging from explosive forwards to commanding midfielders and dependable defenders.
The competition for the Golden Boy title is intensifying, with young players already making waves in their respective leagues. While some candidates have been in the running for years, others are gaining popularity at a startling rate. As they compete for one of football’s most coveted individual awards, we evaluate the top 20 candidates in this ranking based on their performances, potential, and overall influence on their teams.
10. Endrick ( Real Madrid/Brazil)
role: Striker
• 18 years old
• Statistics for 2024–2025
26 appearances, 6 goals, and minimal playing time
As one of the most promising young players in world football, Endrick, an 18-year-old Brazilian wonder, keeps living up to the expectations. The former Palmeiras attacker has displayed bursts of genius with his technical skill, speed, and finishing since securing his transfer to Real Madrid.
He is one of the leading candidates for the 2025 Golden Boy award because of his achievements for both club and nation. Endrick has already shown that he has the ability to influence the course of games despite his youth by scoring important goals and swiftly adjusting to the European style of play.
9. Ajax, Netherlands’ Jorrel Hato
• Role: Left back
• 18 years old
• Stats for 2024–2025 (Eredivisie only)
6 assists, 3 goals, Duels won: 104, duels won %: 54.7%, aerial duels won: 39, aerial duels won %: 61.9%, interceptions: 16, blocks: 3, fouls committed: 20, recoveries: 93, and tackles won: 32, tackles won %: 65.3% Final possession: 7; Dribbled past: 9.
Jorrel Hato, a graduate of Ajax’s renowned youth system, has solidified his spot in the starting lineup by displaying remarkable poise for a defender of his age. His tactical awareness and ability to play out from the back make him an essential part of Ajax’s rebuild, regardless of whether he is used at centre-back or left-back.
Hato is still honing his defensive skills despite being linked to Liverpool. His chances of winning the Golden Boy award are minimal unless Ajax can make major progress in Europe, even if he is one of the most promising defenders on the continent.
8. Germany’s Hoffenheim’s Tom Bischof
Position: Midfielder in the centre
• 19 years old
• 2024–2025 Stats (exclusive to the Bundesliga):
34 games, 3 assists, 5 goals, and 87% pass accuracy
Tom Bischof, a graduate of Hoffenheim’s development system, is one of Germany’s most promising midfielders. He has drawn similarities to Toni Kroos because of his vision, passing range, and ability to control play from midfield.
His status as a future star was further cemented in January 2025 when Bayern Munich confirmed his signing on a free transfer. He might likely place in the top three in upcoming Golden Boy races if he performs well in the Bundesliga the next season.
7. Kenan Yıldız (Turkey’s Juventus)
• Role: Winger on the left
• 19 years old
• 2024–2025 Statistics
41 appearances, six goals, and four assists in Serie A and European competitions
Thiago Motta has made Kenan Yıldız a vital member of Juventus when he joined from Bayern Munich’s academy. He is one of Juve’s most promising young players and a regular for the Turkish national team thanks to his dribbling, inventiveness, and poise in front of goal.
Juve’s lack of Champions League action this season may hinder Yıldız’s prospects of winning the Golden Boy award, despite his versatility allowing him to play throughout the front line. His profile can rise much further if he moves to a larger European stage soon.
6. The French/Moroccan Eliesse Ben Seghir (AS Monaco)
• Role: Winger on the left
• 19 years old
• Statistics for 2024–2025 (All Competitions):
39 games, 9 goals, and 4 assists
Ben Seghir has gradually developed into a vital member of Monaco’s squad since making his Ligue 1 debut in 2022. Monaco’s pursuit of Champions League qualifying this season has benefited greatly from the Moroccan international, who is renowned for his close control and quick feet.
He is a serious candidate for the Golden Boy award because of his ability to play between the lines, take on defenders, and generate chances for goals. But, given the intense competition, he will have to make an impression on larger stages in order to strengthen his case.
5. Bournemouth, Spain/Netherlands’ Dean Huijsen
• Role: centre-back
• 19 years old
• 2024–2025 Statistics (just for the Premier League)
20 tackles were won, 71.4% of tackles were won, 85 duels were won, 56.3% of duels were won, 48 aerial duels were won, 59.3% of aerial duels were won, 42 interceptions were made, 5 blocks were made, 22 fouls were committed, 80 recoveries were made, and possession was won in the third quarter.
Dean Huijsen made an impression while on loan at Roma after joining Juventus in 2021, and then he signed a €13 million contract to move permanently to Bournemouth. Huijsen has become one of the Premier League’s most talked-about young defenders under Andoni Iraola.
He is a top prospect because of his skill with the ball, aerial prowess, and defensive awareness. A move to a larger club in 2025–2026 could bring him one step closer to future Golden Boy success, as there are rumours of a €50 million release clause.
4. Arsenal, England’s Ethan Nwaneri
• Position: Winger or attacking midfielder
• 17 years old
• 2024–2025
29 games, 8 goals, and 1 assist
Ethan Nwaneri, a Hale End product, made news in 2022 when he made his Premier League debut at the youngest age ever (15 years, 181 days). He has now been gradually assimilated into the first team by Mikel Arteta, and he has returned the favour with mature performances.
The highlight of Nwaneri’s career was when he became the second-youngest English scorer in the history of the Champions League. Given Arsenal’s multifaceted competition, his reputation may continue to grow in the Golden Boy contest.
3. Paris Saint-Germain, France’s Warren Zaïre-Emery
Position: Midfielder in the centre
• 19 years old
• 2024–2025 Statistics
In League 1, 35 appearances, 3 goals, 1 assist, 92% pass accuracy, and 12 created opportunities
Warren Zaïre-Emery, who has already played more than 100 senior games for PSG, is one of the most complete midfielders of his generation. He is an essential component of Luis Enrique’s strategies because of his capacity to control play, break lines, and even play defence.
Zaïre-Emery, who is currently a France international, is a strong candidate for the 2025 Golden Boy award because of his leadership and consistency at such a young age. He might win the championship if PSG advances far in the Champions League.
2. Désiré Doué (France’s Paris Saint-Germain)
• Role: Right Winger
• 19 years old
• 2024–2025 Statistics
39 appearances, 11 assists, and 7 goals
One of the most notable members of Luis Enrique’s team as PSG embarks on a new chapter is Désiré Doué. Doué, who joined from Stade Rennais, has adapted to the Paris midfield with ease and displayed technical skill and intelligence that belies his age.
He is one of the most formidable contenders for this year’s Golden Boy prize because of his exceptionally excellent performances in the Champions League knockout stages.
1. Barcelona, Spain’s Pau Cubarsí
• Role: centre-back
• 17 years old
Stats for La Liga 2024–2025:
— 7.02 average score
– 93% of passes are made.
Each game, 2.8 balls are recovered.
— Every game, 2.5 clearances
Aerial duels were won by 65%.
Not many defenders in modern history have had such an instant impact as Pau Cubarsí. The young Catalan, who made his debut in Barcelona’s first squad under Hansi Flick, plays with poise, self-assurance, and passing talent that equals that of seasoned pros.
Cubarsí’s reputation as Europe’s top young defender has been solidified by his exploits in the Champions League. He will become the first defender to win the Golden Boy award since Matthijs de Ligt (2018) if he continues to play at this level.
xz
