Barcelona midfielder Gavi has won the 2022 Golden Boy award after an incredible rise in professional football.
The Spain international becomes the third player from Barcelona to win the prize after Lionel Messi (2005 and Pedri (2021).
Barcelona had four players on the final 20-man shortlist – Pedri, Gavi, Ansu Fati and Nico Gonzalez. Alejandro Balde was also on the initial list but did not make the final cut.
Italian outlet Tuttosport announced Gavi as the winner in a press conference in Hotel Villa Igiea di Palermo. The publication named him the best player aged under 20.
It is the second prestigious award the combative midfielder has picked up this week after taking the Kopa Trophy at the Ballon d’Or ceremony.
Gavi beat off competition from Eduardo Camavinga, Jude Bellingham and Jamal Musiala to win the award. They were the final four on the list, and the 18-year-old came out on top.
This edition of the Golden Boy Award is the 20th since its inception in 2002. Kylian Mbappe, Wayne Rooney, Messi, Sergio Aguero and Cesc Fabregas are amongst the previous winners.
Gavi got his chance in senior football under Ronald Koeman last season. He has gone from strength to strength under Xavi Hernandez.
He has since made over 60 appearances for the Catalan club and kept established international players such as Franck Kessie and Frenkie De Jong on the bench.
La Roja boss Luis Enrique has also trusted Gavi. He has grown into a regular for the Spain team since making his debut one year ago.
Gavi has 12 appearances for his national team, including some memorable performances in the Nations League.
He has a bright future ahead, and his two prestigious trophies attest to the talent that belies his age.
