by Massimo Franchi

Interview with José Félix Díaz, a Spanish journalist with *As* and a member of the international jury for the European Golden Boy award

 

1) The list of 100 nominees for the 2026 Golden Boy award has been announced: which players from your country (born on or after 1 January 2006) did you expect to see on the list, and why?

Thiago Pitarch is a dynamic midfielder, capable of progressing the ball from deep, and he is showing that he is not afraid of anything. Dro Fernández is a technically gifted player who has proved he is not intimidated by playing in the top flight and can handle the pressure of representing a club such as PSG.Marc Bernal has overcome a very serious injury and, although he still lacks a bit of pace, he knows how to set the rhythm his team needs at every stage of the game.

It is still early because several young players have emerged in recent weeks and still need to confirm their potential. Estevão is another hugely talented young player, although his performances have been somewhat inconsistent. Rodrigo Mora is another of the standout prospects among the game’s emerging talents.

 

2) Among your favourite players (while waiting, of course, for the World Cup, as well as the first part of next season), is there anyone who, in your opinion, deserves more than the others to win or finish very high in the 24th edition of the award for the best Under-21 player of the year?

Endrick is also showing all of his tremendous talent.

 

3) In your country, at the level of sporting institutions (for example, within the Football Federation, youth and school football, professional and amateur leagues, the Olympic Committee, etc.), have investments been made in recent years to further improve grassroots football and attract more young people to the game?

Over the past few decades, Spain has become a benchmark for youth development. Other football federations have come to study and replicate its model. Starting next season, a national Under-16 league will also be introduced.

 

4) And at club level? Have any professional or amateur clubs recently stood out for developing their youth academies and recruiting future talents, perhaps by building new sports facilities dedicated to children or launching special initiatives to encourage parents to enrol their children?

At club level, youth development is also carried out to a very high standard. Barcelona is the club that has invested the most in this pathway, partly because of the difficult financial situation it has faced in recent years. The reality is that the young players have responded exceptionally well.

 

5) Founded in 2003, the Golden Boy will celebrate its first “jubilee” next year (2027), marking a quarter of a century of existence. Could you assess this period and tell us how, in your opinion, the award has evolved, what its international impact has been in terms of media coverage, how attractive it is to players and football professionals, and what level of interest it generates among fans and readers?

The Golden Boy has been, and continues to be, one of the best initiatives ever introduced in the world of football. It recognises the achievements of the game’s brightest young talents and has become a benchmark for players, fans and the media alike.