Golden Boy 2026: Ayyoub Bouaddi reaches the final 25

09:35

Ayyoub Bouaddi has taken another significant step in his rapidly rising career after being selected among the 25 finalists for the Golden Boy 2026, one of European football’s most closely watched awards for emerging talent.

The Moroccan international features on the shortlist unveiled Monday in Rome by Italian sports newspaper Tuttosport, which organizes the annual award. The distinction is reserved for players under the age of 21 who have made an impact in European football.

From Lille prospect to Manchester City arrival

At just 19, Bouaddi has already made a major leap at club level. The midfielder joined Manchester City during the summer in a deal reportedly worth €100 million, following his development at Lille in France’s Ligue 1.

His inclusion in the final 25 represents a new milestone. While he had already attracted considerable attention for his performances at Lille, this is the first time he has reached the final stage of the Golden Boy competition.

The move to Manchester City has consequently placed him under an even brighter spotlight, with expectations surrounding the young midfielder rising alongside his transfer value.

A breakthrough on the international stage

Bouaddi’s growing reputation has also been reinforced by his performances for Morocco.

His first appearance at the 2026 World Cup, against Brazil, proved particularly important in establishing his credentials on the international stage. His composed display at such a demanding level strengthened his position within the Moroccan setup and confirmed the qualities that had already made him a key figure at club level.

For Morocco, the midfielder has increasingly become an important component of a generation seeking to consolidate the country’s position among the leading teams in international football.

A highly competitive Golden Boy field

Bouaddi faces strong competition in the final 25. The shortlist includes several prominent young names from Europe's biggest clubs, among them Pau Cubarsí and Xavi Espart of Barcelona, Warren Zaïre-Emery of Paris Saint-Germain, and Myles Lewis-Skelly of Arsenal.

Other finalists include Yan Diomandé, Endrick of Real Madrid, Eli Junior Kroupi of Bournemouth and Franco Mastantuono of Fiorentina.

The final selection follows an extensive process that initially involved 100 candidates before the field was progressively narrowed down.

How the winner will be determined

The winner will be chosen by a panel of sports journalists representing major European media organizations.

Several factors will influence the final decision. The award's criteria include a player's sporting performances, playing time and the competitive standing of his club. International and European performances are also incorporated through an additional composite assessment.

The rules further stipulate that a previous Golden Boy winner cannot claim the trophy for a second time, keeping the award focused on identifying a new standout talent each year.

For Bouaddi, reaching the final 25 is already a significant recognition of his progression. The Moroccan midfielder now has the opportunity to turn an impressive breakthrough year into one of the most notable individual achievements of his young career.