The final 20-player shortlist for the 2024 Golden Boy award has been revealed, handed annually to best u-21 player in European football.
Manchester United are well represented on the final shortlist with three inclusions, with Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho and summer signing Leny Yoro all in contention. Mainoo broke into the senior side last season and was involved in England’s run to the final of Euro 2024, following a meteoric rise at Old Trafford.
He and Garnacho scored the goals as the Red Devils beat Manchester City in the FA Cup final last season, before the latter formed part of Argentina’s Copa America squad.
Manchester City have two nominees in Rico Lewis and Savinho, while Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton is also on the final shortlist.
The favourite for the award is Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal, following a record-breaking year for the 17-year-old. Yamal starred as Spain won Euro 2024 in the summer, earning the Young Player of the Tournament award and leading the competition for assists.
The winner of the award will succeed Jude Bellingham, who claimed the Golden Boy in 2023.
2024 Golden Boy final nominees
- Lamine Yamal – Barcelona
- Pau Cubarsi – Barcelona
- Joao Neves – Paris Saint-Germain
- Warren Zaire-Emery – Paris Saint-Germain
- Kobbie Mainoo – Manchester United
- Alejandro Garnacho – Manchester United
- Leny Yoro – Manchester United
- Savinho – Manchester City
- Rico Lewis – Manchester City
- Aleksandar Pavlovic – Bayern Munich
- Jamie Bynoe-Gittens – Borussia Dortmund
- Jorell Hato – Ajax
- Kenan Yildiz – Juventus
- Cristhian Mosquera – Valencia
- Adam Wharton – Crystal Palace
- Arda Guler – Real Madrid
- Mathys Tel – Bayern Munich
- Desire Doue – Paris Saint-Germain
- Oscar Gloukh – Red Bull Salzburg
- Samu Omorodion – FC Porto
