In an exclusive interview with Tuttosport, Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal shared his thoughts on winning the prestigious Golden Boy 2024 award, joining the ranks with some of football’s biggest stars.
The 17-year-old, who has become a sensation at Barça and the Spanish national team, spoke candidly about his achievements, his ambitions, and the players he believes will follow in his footsteps.
On his Golden Boy win
Winning the Golden Boy at such a young age, Yamal expressed immense pride and gratitude.
“It is a great happiness, an honour,” he said. “It is the first step towards a great career that I hope to have.
“Even though I know well that individual awards are the result of collective success, I want to continue performing well for Barcelona and Spain so that I can accumulate more trophies, both team and individual.
“In any case, winning the Golden Boy is a great starting point for a young footballer. Every young player in the world aspires to win it.”
Looking ahead to next year’s Golden Boy award, Yamal expressed confidence in his teammate Pau Cubarsi to walk away with the prestigious award.
Yamal backs Cubarsi for Golden Boy 2025. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Despite being a defender – a position that has historically had fewer winners of the Golden Boy – Yamal believes Cubarsi has all the qualities to make history.
“I am convinced that Cubarsi has everything it takes to win the Golden Boy 2025, even though he is a defender. He could become the second defender to win it,” said the teenage winger.
“I train with him every day, and his level is incredible. I think he is already one of the strongest defenders in Europe, in the top five.”
Reflecting on Barcelona’s successful history when it comes to the Golden Boy award – four winners in Lionel Messi, Pedri, Gavi, and himself, Yamal attributed this success to the club’s renowned youth system, La Masia, which has consistently produced top-tier talent.
“Barcelona are historically known for having a fantastic youth academy, the best in the world. Just look at those who played in the recent Clasico in Madrid: Cubarsi, Fermin Lopez, Casado, Gavi, and myself,” he said.
“The club’s trust in young players gives them confidence, and that is why so many from the academy are on this list.”
Future objectives
Despite the personal recognition, Yamal understands that success at the highest level relies on team achievements. He spoke about his next individual goal – the Ballon d’Or, saying:
“If I win with Barcelona, especially the Champions League, I will have a better chance of aiming for the individual trophy that crowns a player’s career: the Ballon d’Or.”
This year, Yamal placed eighth in the Ballon d’Or rankings, just behind Lautaro Martinez, and ahead of notable figures such as Harry Kane and Toni Kroos.
“No player wins individual awards without achieving something collectively with their team. So by winning at the collective level, I will be closer to individual awards, because one thing is the consequence of the other,” he explained.
Lamine wants to win the Ballon d’Or. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
Looking ahead to his career, Yamal set ambitious goals for his future. By the age of 21, he hopes to have won the World Cup with Spain, the Champions League, and at least two more league titles with Barcelona.
“By the age of 21, my goal is to win the World Cup with Spain, the Champions League, and two more league titles with Barcelona,” he said.
When asked about the most difficult opponent he has faced so far, Yamal highlighted German left-back David Raum, whom he faced in the quarter-final match at the UEFA Euro 2024
“Raum is a tough, fierce defender. In the Euros, in the quarter-finals against Germany, he was a difficult rival to overcome,” Yamal recalled.
Finally, the La Masia gem shared an inspiring message for young people around the world who dream of following in his footsteps.
“Work hard, do not get discouraged, never give up. Always fight and strive because that is the only way to reach the top. Think positively and enjoy yourself. After all, football is still a game. But as the saying goes, ‘He who stops is lost’,” he concluded.