Manchester United Starlets in the Running for Prestigious Golden Boy Award
Manchester United’s latest signing, 18-year-old centre-back Leny Yoro, is in the mix for one of the most coveted individual honors in world football – the Golden Boy award. And he’s not the only United youngster in contention.
In a remarkable coup, United convinced Yoro to join the Old Trafford faithful after agreeing a £52 million fee with French club Lille. The France Under-21 international looked destined for Real Madrid, but his medical in Manchester on Thursday sealed the deal.
Yoro will join an impressive crop of youngsters at United, including teenage midfield sensation Kobbie Mainoo and Argentine winger Alejandro Garnacho, who both shone during their debut campaigns last season.
The Golden Boy award is handed out annually to the best male player aged 21 or under playing in Europe’s top 25 leagues. The winner is chosen based on the Golden Boy Football Benchmark Index, which takes into account performances between 3rd October 2023 and 26th July 2024.
Interestingly, Cristiano Ronaldo never won the Golden Boy award despite being eligible in 2003, 2004, and 2005, missing out to Rafael van der Vaart, Wayne Rooney, and Lionel Messi.
According to the current rankings, Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal leads the pack with an index value of 94.2, followed closely by Benfica midfielder Joao Neves with 93.4.
United’s Garnacho lies third with 90.8, trailed by Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Warren Zaire-Emery with 89.6, while Yoro and Mainoo, who are also in the mix, boast index values of 86.7 and 84.4, respectively.
Given his impressive form at Euro 2024, Yamal is the favored candidate to take home the award. Joaquin Maroto, a member of the Golden Boy jury, has also tipped Yamal to win the accolade.
The Golden Boy award ceremony typically takes place in November, but fans will have to wait patiently to find out who will lift the prestigious trophy.
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