Lionel Messi is the only player to have achieved both the Golden Boy award and the Ballon d'Or, winning the Golden Boy in 2005 and his first Ballon d'Or in 2009. Lamine Yamal, who won the Golden Boy award in November 2024, is a strong candidate for the upcoming Ballon d'Or. At just 18, Yamal has already made a significant impact for Barcelona, boasting 25 goals and 28 assists. Comparatively, notable players like Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen had lower contributions before turning 18, positioning Yamal uniquely among football's emerging talents.
Messi won the Golden Boy award in 2005, and four years later, he claimed the first of his record tally of eight Ballon d'Or triumphs, at the age of 22.
Lamine Yamal won the Golden Boy award in November 2024 and is a frontrunner for the Ballon d'Or this year.
Yamal has already registered 25 goals and 28 assists for Barcelona, directly contributing to 53 goals in all competitions.
Compared to Yamal, Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen produced far fewer contributions before their 18th birthdays, with Rooney having seven goals and Owen six.
Collection
[
|
...
]