Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo dominated world soccer for greater than 15 years, and even in the present day, as they strategy the ultimate levels of their respective careers, they continue to be influential gamers for each golf equipment and nationwide groups. Nevertheless, a brand new technology of stars is rising, together with Paris Saint-Germain ahead Need Doue.
The younger French participant just lately turned 20 and has already established himself as a key piece for PSG, serving to the group win Ligue 1 and the UEFA Champions League through the 2024–25 season. These performances catapulted him to stardom and earned him the 2025 Golden Boy trophy.
The Golden Boy is a prestigious award organized by the Italian journal Tuttosport — just like how France Soccer runs the Ballon d’Or — recognizing probably the most promising gamers underneath the age of 21 every season. The trophy was first awarded in 2003 and has steadily grown in status since then.
The 16 objectives in 61 matches that Doue scored for PSG through the earlier marketing campaign made him the clear favourite for the award. This was strengthened by a key element: the Golden Boy can solely be received as soon as per participant, which excluded different rising stars similar to Lamine Yamal, who had already obtained it in an earlier version.
Did Messi and Ronaldo ever win the Golden Boy?
Because the Golden Boy started in 2003, the timeline exhibits that each Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo had been eligible for the award once they had been underneath 21, enjoying for Barcelona and Sporting CP, respectively.
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Within the inaugural version, Ronaldo had simply arrived at Manchester United from Sporting CP, having already proven wonderful performances in Portugal. This positioned him among the many favorites, although he finally completed third behind Rafael Van der Vaart and Wayne Rooney. The latter then received the award in 2004, leaving CR7 in second place, which means Cristiano Ronaldo by no means received the trophy.
The Argentine star, alternatively, had a way more favorable situation. In 2005, Messi received the Golden Boy because of his excellent performances with FC Barcelona, the place he had made his skilled debut the earlier yr. At the moment, there have been no restrictions for gamers who had already received, so Messi competed once more within the following two years, ending second behind Cesc Fabregas and Sergio Agüero.
Different notable Golden Boy winners
Over the previous 22 years, gamers from numerous golf equipment and nations have received the Golden Boy. Many, like Messi, Rooney, and Agüero, went on to turn out to be superstars, fulfilling the early promise the award indicated.
Different notable winners embody Kylian Mbappe (2017) and Erling Haaland (2020), in addition to Pedri (2021), Jude Bellingham (2023), and Lamine Yamal (2024), who’re nonetheless younger and certain to enhance additional.
Nevertheless, there are additionally circumstances of gamers who appeared destined for greatness early of their careers however had been unable to maintain it on the high degree. Examples embody Anderson (2008), Anthony Martial (2015), and Renato Sanches (2016).
