For the second time in a row, a top FC Barcelona talent has scooped the “Golden Boy” award: Gavi (18) succeeds Pedri (19) – while BVB attacker Jude Bellingham was once again left with only the role of first loser
The setting could perhaps not have been better chosen. 27 cosy degrees in Palermo and in a 19th century palazzo right by the sea the international and national press for the unveiling of the winner of the 20th edition of the Golden Boy. Even Palermo’s mayor, Roberto Lagalla, dropped by, even though he was not on the ballot this time.
Tuttosport” has been awarding the prize for the best European U-21 player since 2003. In the past, later top stars like Leo Messi, Kylian Mbappé or Erling Haaland won and those who did not necessarily always keep their promise – like Mario Götze, Mario Balotelli or the very first winner, Rafael van der Vaart.
Camavinga finishes third, Musiala “only” fourth
50 European journalists, and a number of ex-stars such as Lothar Matthäus or Andriy Shevchenko also voted this year and hopes were pinned on two Bundesliga players: Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham and Bayern’s Jamal Musiala, who deservedly made it to the final four alongside Gavi (Barcelona) and Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid).
In the end, Gavi triumphed while Bellingham came second, as he did last year, with Musiala finishing fourth. The mayor nodded sportingly, even if the self-confessed Juventus fan would have preferred to see a Turin native in front. But for that to happen, the ailing record champion must first find its way back to its usual winning ways. After all, Juve talent Fabio Miretti won the title of “Best Italian Golden Boy”. Of course, the Turin paper can’t do without Juventus altogether.
After José Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti had won the coaching trophies, Paolo Maldini the best sporting director, Karim Benzema took the “Golden Player Man”, a title that would have done credit to any Austin Powers film. Finally, there was a touch of Germany in the person of Wolfsburg’s Jule Brand as “Best European Golden Girl”.
And when Sicily’s flagship dish, Pasta alla Norma, beckoned from the next room and the sun continued to caress the sea, everything was somehow “golden” for a few minutes in Palermo too. It’s all just a bubble of carelessness here in the south, of course. Well-earning golden boys from top clubs, a top hostel that, listening to the loud, broad foyer chirping, obviously only well-off US Americans can afford (price per night around 600 euros) and around 3 p.m. the national and international journalists left again for the north, west and east.
The Palermitani, like the problems with 7.3 percent of the city, remain below the poverty line. And in the end, it may have been the wrong setting for golden boys and the football bubble far from reality.