The Golden Boy 2025 nominees have been revealed, with nine Premier League players joining England striker Michelle Agyemang, who is shortlisted for the Golden Girl award. These prestigious honours celebrate the best young footballers across Europe every year.
The awards, established by Tuttosport, spotlight top under-21 players from UEFA’s leading 25 leagues. Lamine Yamal and Vicky Lopez of Barcelona claimed last year’s Golden Boy and Golden Girl titles.
Football legends such as Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, and Wayne Rooney have won the men’s award in the past. The women’s honour has previously gone to stars like Jule Brand and Linda Caicedo.
Nine Premier League Nominees Among Golden Boy Finalists
The 25-player Golden Boy shortlist features Premier League prospects: Arsenal duo Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri, Tottenham’s Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray, Chelsea pair Estevao and Jorrel Hato, Manchester United’s Leny Yoro, Manchester City’s Nico O’Reilly, and Liverpool’s Giovanni Leoni.
O’Reilly, 20, recently received his first senior England call-up but has not yet played for Thomas Tuchel’s side. Dean Huijsen, who moved from Bournemouth to Real Madrid this summer, also earns a nomination.
One of the frontrunners is Paris St-Germain’s Desire Doue, who finished 14th in the Ballon d’Or rankings after lifting the Champions League trophy. Jobe Bellingham, who impressed at Sunderland before joining Borussia Dortmund, also features. His brother Jude Bellingham took home the Golden Boy in 2023.
Michelle Agyemang in Contention for Golden Girl
Michelle Agyemang was a standout for England at Euro 2025, coming off the bench to score crucial late equalisers against Sweden and Italy. Her efforts guided the Lionesses to another title and earned her the Young Player of the Tournament award.
She now shares the 10-player Golden Girl 2025 shortlist with Chelsea’s Wieke Kaptein and Manchester City’s Iman Beney, among others.
The winners will be determined by votes from 50 leading European sports journalists. Eligible players must be born on or after January 1, 2005, and play in one of UEFA’s top 25 leagues. Since a player can’t win twice, last year’s Golden Boy Lamine Yamal is not included this year.
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