Year in year out football fans all over the globe are curious about the most exciting award in modern football being the Golden Boy Award. This yearly award is hold to celebrate the best and youngest player that’s not more than 21 years of age and has made a significant impact in the European football league. Aside the trophy, the award is a huge sign of which players might grow to become the next big thing in football like Messi and the rest.
As this year Golden boy award 2025 is around the corner, talks are everywhere of who’s is going to win the award and where it will be. Whether it going to be France rising talent or Spains miracle defender or England promising star, the competition looks unpredictable cause of the many rising talents. In this article, Tips100 discussed everything you need to know about the award and more, from the award representations to predictions on who’s likely to win the award this year.
What Is the Golden Boy Award?
The Golden Boy Award is a yearly honor that was founded in 2003 by the Italian sports Newspaper Tuttosport, to award the best and most prestigious young male footballer below 21 years of age in the top European league.
The selection of the award is carefully handled by top journalists from big sports media across Europe. Each journalist nominates their top five players, ranking them by points, 10% for first, 7% for second, 5% for third, and so on. The player with the most cumulative votes is crowned the Golden Boy.
If you take a close look at the past winners you’ll notice they’re football’s future icons. Like the likes of Lionel Messi (2005), Cesc Fàbregas (2006), Sergio Agüero (2007), Kylian Mbappé (2017), Erling Haaland (2020), and most recently, Jude Bellingham (2023) and Lamine Yamal (2024).
These names show that the Golden Boy isn’t just a youth award; it’s a glimpse into football’s future.
Why the Golden Boy Award Matters
The Golden Boy award is more than just an award, it a career shaping achievement. For young footballers, being nominated or winning this award often means:
• Increased visibility among top European clubs
• increased transfer market value
• More Sponsorship and media opportunities
• National team recognitions.
For football fans, bettors, and analysts, this is a great opportunity to predict who’s going to dominate the football world in the next decade. Platforms like Tips100 use this trend to assess rising talent, build predictive insights, and analyze football’s next stars.
The 2025 Golden Boy Race: Names to Watch
As of 2025, the shortlist is filled with talent from Europe’s biggest leagues. Let’s take a look at some of the lookout nominees and assess their chances of winning based on current form, performance, and visibility.
1. Désiré Doué (Paris Saint-Germain)
Désiré Doué has become a person of influence in French football. The young midfielder which is just 20 years old has been one of PSG’s best performer, with a mixture of his creativity, pace he covers during the game and his confidence in the midfield even at a young age. He’s an all around player that performs both as a winger and a central playmaker, and his performance and skills makes him the favorite with his strong assist good goals and the leadership and ability to control even at this age.
Why Doué could win:
• Plays for a top European club with Champions League exposure
• High contribution in goals and assists
• France’s strong youth reputation helps his narrative
Tips100 Prediction: Doué currently leads the rest of the contenders and looks like the most favorable Golden Boy winner in 2025.
2. Leny Yoro (Manchester United)
Leny Yoro has become a defensive pillar for Manchester United, at just 19 year. The player is Calm under pressure and commanding in the air, Yoro represents a new generation of technically gifted defenders which every club wish for. Even Though defenders rarely win this award, his maturity and performances in both Premier League and Europe make him a serious contender.
Why Yoro could win.
• Regular starter at one of the biggest clubs in the world
• Exceptional consistency despite his age
• Defenders rarely win — which could add extra significance if he does
Tips100 Prediction: If he keeps his form and Manchester United progress deep in Europe, Yoro could challenge and go for the crown.
3. Arda Güler (Real Madrid)
Arda Güler has had a rough beginning at his career because of injuries, but once he’s fit, he’s a quality player. Güler’s talent, vision, and ability to score from midfield make him one of the most naturally gifted young players in Europe.
Why Güler could win:
• Plays for the world biggest giant which is Real Madrid
• Creative, exciting to watch, and statistically efficient
• Has a Huge fan support, especially from Turkey
Tips100 Prediction: If Güler maintains his fitness and helps Madrid win league title , he’ll be a strong late challenger.
4. Pau Cubarsí (Barcelona)
Barcelona has a long history of producing the best generational talents, and Pau Cubarsí is one of them continues in that foot step. The 17-year-old defender has been instrumental in Barca’s backline, showing maturity and intelligence well beyond his years.
Why Cubarsí could win:
• Key starter in La Liga and Champions League
• Symbol of Barcelona’s next La Masia era
• Strong media backing in Spain
Tips100 Prediction: Defenders rarely win, but Cubarsí’s consistency and leadership make him one of the best young defenders in Europe.
5. Jobe Bellingham (Sunderland / England U21)
While not as a big name as his brother Jude, Jobe Bellingham is quietly making waves in England. His rise at Sunderland and performances for the England U21s have drawn praise for his energy, technique, and ability to control games.
Why Jobe could win:
• Incredible improvement and leadership in a lower league
• The Bellingham family story adds a media narrative
• Strong connection with England’s football culture
Tips100 Prediction: He’s an outside chance, but if he secures a big-club move or finishes the season with strong numbers, he could surprise everyone.
Golden Boy Award Patterns and Trends
Looking at past winners, certain trends emerge:
• Attackers dominate – 80% of past winners are attacking players.
• Top-five leagues – Most winners come from England, Spain, Germany, France, or Italy.
• Club success matters – Players who win major trophies during the season tend to perform better in voting.
• Media attention counts – Players with big fan bases often get extra visibility in the voting process.
For bettors and analysts on Tips100, these patterns offer insight into predictive outcome of the award. History shows that voters value Top talent and excitement as much as consistency.
Tips100’s Exclusive Prediction for 2025
Based on player form, historical data, and exposure, Tips100 predicts the following outcome for the Golden Boy 2025 Award:
🥇 Désiré Doué (PSG) – Strong favourite
🥈 Leny Yoro (Manchester United) – Tactical brilliance could push him close
🥉 Arda Güler (Real Madrid) – Creative wildcard contender
Dark Horses: Pau Cubarsí and Jobe Bellingham
Tips100 Analysis:
Doué combines talent, consistency, and visibility. Which is the exact trio that defines a Golden Boy winner. His success in both Ligue 1 and the Champions League boosts his odds, and PSG’s dominance in the league ensures high exposure. Yoro’s case depends heavily on United’s defensive performance, while Güler remains the talented pick for the award which is brilliant but dependent on minutes.
The Bigger Picture: Beyond the Award
Winning the Golden Boy often signals greatness. Many previous winners have gone on to dominate the world of football, we’re talking of the likes of Messi, Mbappé, Haaland, Bellingham — all of them once held this title. For 2025’s nominees, this isn’t just about fame; it’s about building a legacy.
Fans and bettors globally are following every performance, and bookmakers are tracking odds closely. Football communities, including those on Tips100, are using advanced prediction models and AI analysis to identify future stars based on stats like:
• Goal involvement per 90 minutes
• Passing accuracy and progressive plays
• Defensive duels won
• Overall team influence
These data-driven insights show how football predictions are fast evolving and why Tips100 remains one of the most trusted names in global football analysis.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is the favourite to win the Golden Boy Award 2025?
All the best data favors Désiré Doué is the best and most favorite, with Leny Yoro and Arda Güler following closely behind.
2. When will the Golden Boy 2025 winner be announced?
The award is usually presented in November or December 2025, following a final voting round by Top journalists from European sports.
3. Can a defender win the Golden Boy Award?
Yes, but it’s rare. Most winners have been attackers or midfielders. However, Pau Cubarsí and Leny Yoro are showing that defensive excellence deserves recognition.
4. How do players get nominated?
Each year, Tuttosport releases an initial longlist of 100 players, later narrowed down by performances and votes from international journalists.
5. Where can I follow predictions and updates?
Visit Tips100.com for daily football prediction insights, player analysis, and Golden Boy updates.
Conclusion
The 2025 Golden Boy Award is a symbol of the future of football, it like a time traveling into the future’s superstar. Whether it’s Désiré Doué dazzling for PSG, Yoro’s composure for Manchester United, or Güler’s artistry at Real Madrid, one of these talents is ready to claim football’s next golden chapter.
At Tips100, our expert analysts continue to track player form, match performance, and momentum to deliver accurate football predictions daily.
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