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The Golden Boy award, presented annually by the Italian newspaper Tuttosport, has established itself as one of football’s most prestigious individual honors, recognizing the best young player under the age of 21. This year, the accolade went to Pau Cubarsí, a 19-year-old talent from Barcelona, who follows in the footsteps of Doué as the world’s top young player. However, winning the award does not guarantee a successful career; history shows a mixed track record of recipients, ranging from meteoric rises to unfulfilled potential.
From Early Legends to Modern Talents
The inaugural Golden Boy was awarded in 2003 to Dutch midfielder Rafael van der Vaart, following a remarkable season with Ajax where he scored 22 goals in 30 matches. Van der Vaart’s career saw him oscillate between moments of brilliance and mediocrity, with stints at top clubs such as Real Madrid, Betis, and Midtjylland. By 2019, he was playing at a much lower level with Chiclana Industrial in the Andalusian First Division. In 2022, reflecting on his career, he admitted to being “too overweight” and now watches matches from the sidelines. At 43 years old, Van der Vaart has transitioned into a role as a sports commentator.
The following year, in 2004, the award went to English forward Wayne Rooney, who triumphed against stiff competition including Cristiano Ronaldo, Fernando Torres, and Arjen Robben. Rooney earned the recognition largely due to his impressive performances with the English national team during the European Championship. That summer, he signed for his lifelong club, Manchester United, having previously played for Everton. Rooney concluded his playing career in 2021 with Derby County.
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