Golden Boy 2025: A Fresh Generation Sparks Hope Across Europe

A Young Moroccan Star Among Golden Boy Nominees

The Italian newspaper Tuttosport revealed today the 25-name shortlist for the 2025 Golden Boy award. At the top of the list are Arda Güler and Desire Duy, along with Miles Lewis-Skili, Kenan Yildiz, and the Moroccan talent Elias Ben Sghir, drawing attention from across Europe.

The award is given to Europe’s best under-21 player each year. Past winners include Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, and Wayne Rooney.

The current holder is Lamine Yamal, who clinched the prize in November 2024. He also won the Kopa Trophy from France Football in 2024.

To be considered for 2025, a player must be born on or after January 1, 2005, and belong to a club in one of Europe’s top 25 leagues.

The ceremony date has not been fixed, but it is expected to be announced in December.

The 2025 Golden Boy nominees include:

Dien Huisen - Real Madrid

Arda Guler - Real Madrid

Franco Mastantono - Real Madrid

Desire Duy - Paris Saint-Germain

Warren Zaire-Emry - Paris Saint-Germain

Seni Mayulo - Paris Saint-Germain

Kenan Yildiz - Juventus

Ethan Nwaneri - Arsenal

Miles Lewis-Skili - Arsenal

Girel Hato - Chelsea

Estevao - Chelsea

Lucas Bergvall - Tottenham Hotspur

Giovanni Quinda - Sporting CP

Lini Yoro - Manchester United

Nico Ori li - Manchester City

Jobe Bellingham - Borussia Dortmund

Francesco Bi Espozito - Inter Milan

Rodrigo Mora - Porto

Giovanni Leoni - Liverpool

Pau Kobarsi - Barcelona

Alexander Stankovic - Club Brugge

Elias Ben Sghir - Bayer Leverkusen

Viktor Fruhult - Porto

Mamadou Sarr - Strasbourg

And Elias Ben Sghir, the Moroccan talent, is one of the standout youngsters in European football. Born in 2005 in France, he began with Monaco before moving to Bayer Leverkusen last summer, a significant step in his early career. He is known for his explosive pace, precise passing, and ability to dribble under pressure, showing maturity beyond his years and a clear link to his Moroccan roots.

Despite meeting the age eligibility, he cannot win twice in a row, as the prize is awarded to first-time winners. Yamal’s year also saw him win the Kopa trophy and finish as a runner-up in the Ballon d’Or race behind Dembele.

To be considered for the 2025 prize, a player must be born on or after January 1, 2005, and play for a club in one of the top 25 European leagues. The precise announcement date remains undecided, with December expected as the likely timeframe.

How the selection works:

The Golden Boy is decided not just by statistics, but by a player’s impact on the field and technical maturity. A panel of sports journalists from prominent European outlets—such as Marca, L’Equipe, Bild, and The Times—vote based on performances throughout the calendar year.

From a Golden Boy to a Legend:

Over two decades, the award has proven to be a reliable predictor of future stardom. Messi (2005), Agüero (2007), Haaland and Bellingham have all used it as a stepping stone to global status.

The Golden Boy in the Digital Era:

In recent years, the award has embraced a digital edge: online fan voting, performance analytics, and shareable statistical clips have turned it into a modern showcase for young talents. Fans now share in the decision as part of a broader, tech-enabled process.

Overall, the 2025 shortlist spotlights a wave of talent ready to challenge for European glory in the coming years.

Punchline #1: Blink and you’ll miss a dribble—these teens move faster than your data plan on match night.

Punchline #2: If age is just a number, these players are busy re-coding the math to stay under 21 forever—and still collect trophies.