Gavi is named the 2022 Golden Boy, adding to the Kopa Trophy he won earlier this week
The Spain international midfielder’s outstanding year for the Nou Camp club was recognised as he became the 20th winner of the accolade for Europe’s finest under-21 footballers.
He finished ahead of England’s Jude Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga and Jamal Musiala to claim the prize, which will formally be presented in Turin on November 7.
Gavi follows in the footsteps of previous Barcelona winners Lionel Messi (2005) and Pedri last year, as well as the likes of Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe, Joao Felix, Wayne Rooney and Cesc Fabregas.
The latest exciting product of Barcelona’s famous La Masia academy, Gavi was promoted from Barcelona’s B team to the senior side at the beginning of the 2021-22 season.
Looking right at home, coach Xavi played the teenager 47 times and he has held down his regular place in LaLiga and the Champions League this season.
International recognition for Spain quickly followed, with Gavi already making 12 appearances and he is expected to play a key role at the upcoming World Cup in Qatar.
Last week, Gavi also won France Football’s Kopa Trophy for the best performing player under 21.
The Golden Boy awards are organised by the Italian sports newspaper Tuttosport, who assemble an international jury of journalists and experts to decide the winner.
An original longlist of young players was whittled down to leave the final four as Bellingham, Camavinga, Gavi and Musiala.
In Tuttosport’s the awards, just a few days after claiming the Ballon d’Or, Real Madrid’s Champions League-winning strike Karim Benzema scooped another prize as the Golden Boy Board of Legends voted him the player of the year.
The Best European Coach prize was shared between Real’s Carlo Ancelotti and Roma’s Jose Mourinho, who led his team to Europa Conference League success.
The Golden Boy career award went to legendary Ukrainian striker Andriy Shevchenko.
Most European Golden Boy Award winners by club:
Manchester United
◎ Wayne Rooney (2004)
◎ Anderson (2008)
◎ Anthony Martial (2015)
Barcelona
◉ Lionel Messi (2005)
◉ Pedri (2021)
◉ Gavi (2022)
