15 fascinating facts about the 2024 Golden Boy Award winner

• Lamine Yamal began his football journey at CF La Torreta before dazzling at Barcelona’s La Masia academy, joining at just seven years old.
• Yamal has broken multiple records at just 17 years old, including being the youngest debutant and scorer for both FC Barcelona and Spain
• TheRadar has compiled below several facts about the 2024 award winner

In a sport where generational talents emerge to rewrite the script of the beautiful game, Lamine Yamal has proven himself to be a name to watch. At just 17 years old, the Barcelona and Spain prodigy has already amassed a list of accomplishments that place him among football’s brightest stars. His latest triumph, winning the prestigious Golden Boy award proves his meteoric rise, beating other standout young players like Joao Neves, Alejandro Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo, and Warren Zaire-Emery to claim the honour.

The Golden Boy prize, awarded annually by the renowned Italian sports newspaper Tuttosport, recognizes the best young player in world football under the age of 21. With previous winners including legends like Lionel Messi, Wayne Rooney, and rising stars like Jude Bellingham, Yamal joins an elite club of football royalty. Notably, he became the fifth Spaniard to secure the award. 

Here are amazing facts about the Spanish talent.

Facts about Spanish starlet Lamine Yamal

TheRadar has compiled below amazing facts about the 2024 Golden Boy award winner, Lamine Yamal:

1. Mixed heritage

Lamine Yamal’s mixed heritage comes from his Moroccan father, Mounir Nasraoui, and his Equatorial Guinean mother, Sheila Ebana. 

2. Humble football beginnings 

Before joining Barcelona's famous La Masia academy, Yamal started his football journey at CF La Torreta. His passion for the sport was ignited by watching his father and cousin play in a nearby park.

3. Strides at La Masia

Lamine joined Barcelona’s youth setup at just seven years old. By April 2023, he debuted for the senior team at only 15 years, 9 months, and 16 days, breaking a record that had stood since 1922.

4. Integral to Barcelona’s 2022–23 La Liga title

At just 16, Yamal was part of the squad that clinched the La Liga title under Xavi Hernandez.

5. History maker in La Liga

In August 2023, Yamal became the youngest starter in La Liga at 16 years and 38 days. He also became the youngest to provide an assist in the league.

6. Champions League record holder

Yamal is the second-youngest player to ever feature in the UEFA Champions League.

7. Balances education with football

Despite his rising fame, Yamal continues his education, receiving private classes to manage his academic and football commitments.

8. Joining FIFA 24 soon

Due to age restrictions, Yamal has not yet appeared in FIFA 24. However, he will be added in the next game update since he turned 17 in July 2024.

9. Represents Spain internationally

Yamal scored four goals for Spain’s U17 side at the European Championship in 2023. At 16, he debuted for the senior team, becoming the youngest scorer in Spain’s history.

10. Memorable link with Messi

A baby Yamal once appeared in a Barcelona charity calendar and coincidentally paired with Lionel Messi.

11. €1 Billion release clause

Barcelona secured Yamal’s future by setting a €1 billion release clause in his 2023 contract.

12. Signature goal celebration

Yamal’s “304” celebration is the postal code of the locality where he was brought up as a child.

13. Social media star

While his Instagram focuses on football, Yamal’s TikTok shares relatable teenage moments with friends and teammates.

14. Golden Boy Award

Yamal clinched the 2024 Golden Boy award recently placing him among the football greats. 

15. Inspiration from his family

Lamine credits his early development to the encouragement he received from his family, especially his father.

How Xavi stopped PSG from snatching Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal 2 years ago

Previously, TheRadar reported that PSG’s interest in Lamine Yamal wasn’t a recent development; in fact, it began when Yamal was just 15. At the time, he was already making waves as a future talent from Barcelona's revered academy,  La Masia. 

As the French club actively sought to add him to their ranks, his agent, Ivan de la Peña, received an enticing offer from PSG.