by Christos Sotirakopoulos
ATHENS. Golden Boy is the ticket to heaven – that is the mythological Olympus, abode of the Gods – for every young player when he wins it and a lovely way to announce to the world the arrival of a new star. It is a unique process that rewards in the best possible way the most eagerly waiting teenager for launching to fame. A process that is also possessed by the peculiarity that if you come out first, you cannot win the next season again. Perfect as an unwritten rule for all of us who vote. Automatically, the motivation remains for the others, while the winner gets the trigger to work harder in the next seasons to confirm his value and to continue the glorious path.
As someone who has followed the Golden Boy award for some time, I have observed how many of the winners have gone on to become true football stars. From Messi, Agüero, Rooney, and Fàbregas to Mbappé, Pogba, Isco, Sterling, and Haaland, the list is full of talented players who have achieved great things.
However, there are exceptions to every rule, and not all winners of the Golden Boy award have fulfilled their potential. For example, Pato and Anderson, who won in 2009 and the previous season, did not become as successful as expected.
Nevertheless, their stories still create intrigue and leave a lasting legacy in the football world, inspiring future generations to learn from their experiences and strive for success.
Last year’s Golden Boy award winner, Gavi, has lived up to expectations, as has Pedri. Erling Haaland has made a name for himself in the football world, scoring 52 goals in his 53 matches for Manchester City, while Matthijs De Ligt is also making waves as one of Bayern Munich’s most expensive signings.
My country Greece despite winning the EURO 2004 unfortunately never produced a young star that could go on and become a world-class player.
One player who raised hopes was Sotiris Ninis and his actions in 2007, when he became the youngest Panathinaikos player to play in Europe and led Greece’s Under 19 squad to great success, reaching the European Championship final in Austria, where they lost to Spain 0-1, but constant injuries prevented Ninis from fulfilling his potential.
Despite the midfielder breaking a 39 year old record in 2008 becoming the youngest player ever to score for the Greek men’s National team his transfer to Italy (Parma) didn’t work out so he never became the star that everyone in Greece had hoped for.In any case, the Golden Boy is a wonderful that has been in existence for 20 years and is a prestigious recognition for any young football player. As the only Greek journalist to vote in the process, I am honored to be a part of it. Let us all look forward to this year’s edition and cast our votes again soon.
In any case, the Golden Boy is a wonderful that has been in existence for 20 years and is a prestigious recognition for any young football player. As the only Greek journalist to vote in the process, I am honored to be a part of it. Let us all look forward to this year’s edition and cast our votes again soon.
