On Monday, it was announced that the Moroccan star Ayoub Bouaddi has joined the final list of nominees for the prestigious “Golden Boy” award, given to the best player under 21 years old in the European continent. This selection confirms the great potential possessed by the young international player and his remarkable brilliance recently within the ranks of his team, Manchester City in England, where he has become one of the key players relied upon by the coaching staff since joining last summer.
Earlier today, Italian press reports revealed the list of 25 players competing for this prestigious award, and the winner is expected to be announced during a grand ceremony held in the city of Turin, Italy, next December. Ayoub Bouaddi’s presence among this elite group of rising talents is clear evidence of the outstanding levels he delivers, which have caught the attention of major clubs and followers.
The final list for the “Golden Boy” award includes some of the most prominent young football talents in Europe, among them the Spanish Pau Cubarsí, Warren Zaire Emry, Victor Froholt, as well as Ryan, Endrick, Guriel Hato, Estêvão, and other rising stars. Twenty players were chosen from this list based on the “Golden Boy Index” ranking, developed in collaboration with the global platform “Transfermarkt,” while five more players were added through special invitation cards, completing the roster of 25 nominees.
It is noteworthy that the presence of Moroccan players in the final lists of this award is not new; Bilal El Khannous previously reached the final list in the 2023 edition, and Ilyas Bensgher reached the final list in the 2024 edition. These consecutive participations reflect the significant development witnessed by Moroccan football and its ability to produce talents capable of competing at the highest European levels. The nomination of Ayoub Bouaddi is a continuation of this excellence.
