The dust has barely settled on a glittering 2024–25 season and already the conversation has turned to the next generation. Désiré Doué and Michelle Agyemang claimed Europe’s Golden Boy and Golden Girl crowns this year, but the spotlight now swings to 2026 — and a fresh crop of teenagers are staking their claims. We’ve sifted through form, hype and potential to name the most compelling contenders who could succeed Doué and Agyemang next year.
Why this matters and who’s eligible
The Golden Boy and Golden Girl awards celebrate the continent’s brightest under‑21 talents. Eligibility is strict: players must still be under 21 in 2026, must be playing in a top European league, and cannot be repeat winners. That rules out several household names who have already aged out or won before, and it sharpens the focus on raw, rising stars who can seize the moment next season.
Honourable mentions
A few names hover on the cusp. Warren Zaïre‑Emery is getting minutes at PSG but lacks the fresh narrative to win next year. Porto’s Victor Froholdt and Rodrigo Mora are exciting, but need continental success to break through. RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande and Assan Ouedraogo are thriving domestically but miss the European stage that often fuels award campaigns. Myles Lewis‑Skelly at Arsenal has the profile, yet minutes may be the limiting factor.
Top five contenders
5. Ayyoub Bouaddi Lille 18 central midfielder
Bouaddi announced himself by starting in Lille’s shock Champions League win over Real Madrid as a 17‑year‑old. Now a near‑everpresent in Ligue 1, he combines physicality with a rare interception timing and progressive passing. Scouts from Europe’s elite are circling. If he keeps bossing midfield battles and continues to rack up big performances, a summer transfer could only amplify his Golden Boy case.
4. Pau Cubarsí Barcelona 18 centre back
Once a runaway favourite for the 2025 prize, Cubarsí’s path to 2026 is trickier. The teenager remains a composed, ball‑playing defender, but Barcelona’s defensive wobble has dulled the spotlight. For Cubarsí to reclaim momentum he needs team stability and clean sheets to showcase the kind of leadership that wins individual honours for defenders.
3. Franco Mastantuono Real Madrid 18 forward
A South American import who earned minutes at Real Madrid, Mastantuono blends creative flair with a No.10’s vision. Injury has stalled his momentum, but his technical gifts and work rate impressed Xabi Alonso. When fit, he must turn flashes of creativity into consistent goal contributions to cement his place in the conversation.
2. Lennart Karl Bayern Munich 17 attacking midfielder
Karl exploded onto the scene in Musiala’s absence, becoming the youngest player to score in three straight Champions League games. Small in stature but fearless in execution, he ghosts into pockets of space and strikes from range. Musiala’s return may limit minutes, but Karl’s Champions League heroics have already announced him as a genuine breakout star.
1. Estêvão Chelsea 18 forward
The favourite for many, Estêvão arrived at Stamford Bridge amid feverish expectation and has delivered in spectacular fashion. From last‑gasp winners to jaw‑dropping strikes against elite opposition, the Brazilian has handled the pressure like a veteran. With regular minutes, a growing highlight reel and a likely starring role for Brazil at the 2026 World Cup, Estêvão looks primed to carry the Golden Boy mantle.
Golden Girl 2026 Watch Lily Yohannes leads a thrilling shortlist
The race for Golden Girl 2026 is heating up, and a new generation of midfield maestros, defenders and forwards are staking their claims. From Lyon’s composed playmaker to Bayern’s creative engine, this crop of teenagers promises fireworks next season. Below we spotlight the honourable mentions and the top five contenders who could succeed this year’s winner.
Honourable mentions
Several promising names miss out this time for reasons beyond talent. Signe Gaupset and Momoko Tanikawa will age out before the next cycle, removing two obvious candidates. Toko Koga at Tottenham has battled limited minutes and a minor injury while adapting to a new league. Giulia Dragoni has struggled to find rhythm on loan at Roma after scarce opportunities at Barcelona. Emilia Szymczak remains a long‑term prospect but a shoulder problem and a quiet loan at Liverpool have stalled her momentum. Veerle Buurman moved permanently to Chelsea after a strong spell at PSV, yet she now faces the challenge of breaking into an exceptionally competitive squad.
5. Sydney Schertenleib Barcelona attacking midfielder
Sydney Schertenleib arrived from Grasshopper with a reputation for silk‑footed creativity, and she has not disappointed. Comfortable between the lines as an attacking midfielder or winger, she thrives in tight spaces, threading incisive passes and timing runs with uncanny intelligence. Her control and vision mark her out as one of Europe’s most exciting youngsters.
The caveat is minutes. With just eight Liga F starts and no Champions League appearances so far, Schertenleib needs consistent game time to turn potential into a Golden Girl campaign.
4. Katie Reid Arsenal centre back
Katie Reid burst into Arsenal’s first team as a composed, commanding defender, displacing established names and earning an England call‑up. Tall, calm on the ball and dangerous at set pieces, she looked destined for a rapid rise before an ACL injury struck at the worst possible moment.
Despite the setback, Reid’s early displays — high duel counts and defensive authority — underline her status as a future world‑class centre back and a potential captain. Recovery will determine whether she can rejoin the conversation next year.
3. Iman Beney Manchester City forward
Iman Beney has been a study in patience and progression. After carefully rebuilding from an ACL injury, the Switzerland international made the step to Manchester City and has become a versatile attacking force. Equally adept at full back or on the wing, Beney blends progressive carries with defensive steel, ranking highly for tackles and interceptions as well as forward thrust. Her Euro 2025 performances announced her arrival; now she must translate that international form into sustained WSL dominance.
2. Alara Sehitler Bayern Munich attacking midfielder
Alara Sehitler is enjoying a breakout season at Bayern, where she has become a fulcrum in build‑up play. Technically gifted and composed, she links defence to attack with crisp passing and intelligent movement. Sehitler’s 17 appearances across the Frauen Bundesliga and Champions League, plus four senior Germany caps, show a player already trusted at the highest level. Her blend of creativity, discipline and work rate makes her a serious contender for the Golden Girl crown.
1. Lily Yohannes OL Lyonnes central midfielder
The frontrunner is Lily Yohannes, whose move from Ajax to eight‑time Champions League winners OL Lyonnes has accelerated her rise. Rather than being eased in, Yohannes has been thrust into the action and has featured in all five Champions League games so far. Her standout trait is game reading — she finds pockets of space, breaks lines with incisive passes and controls tempo with a calmness beyond her years. Yohannes combines sharp decision‑making, a flawless first touch and close control under pressure, and daily training alongside world‑class teammates has only sharpened her instincts. If the Golden Girl is awarded for maturity and influence as much as raw talent, Yohannes is the player to beat.
The verdict and what to watch
The race for Golden Boy and Girl 2026 will be decided by more than talent — minutes, team success and big‑stage moments will tilt the scales. Estêvão leads the pack thanks to immediate impact and global profile, while Lennart Karl and Franco Mastantuono offer compelling alternatives if they sustain form and fitness. Defenders and midfielders can win, but they need team narratives to lift them into the limelight.
Expect twists. Injuries, transfers and Champions League nights will rewrite the script between now and next autumn. For now, the future looks thrilling: a new generation is ready to roar, and the Golden Boy and Girl trophies are waiting for the next superstar to claim them.
