Barcelona’s wonder-kid Yamal beats 24 others to win Best Young Player Award

Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal has clinched the Golden Boy Award as the Best Young Player for 2024 after seeing off competition from 24 other nominees to claim the highly coveted trophy.

The Golden Boy Award is an annual honour presented by the Italian sports newspaper Tuttosport. A panel of selected journalists from some of Europe’s top newspapers served as jurors to determine the eventual winner.

Yamal emerged victorious from a competitive field of 24 nominees, including Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho, Paris Saint-Germain’s Warren Zaïre-Emery, and Real Madrid’s Endrick.

Other finalists included standout young talents such as Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Rico Lewis (Manchester City), and Mathys Tel (Bayern Munich).

The 17-year-old’s meteoric rise since breaking into Barcelona’s first team during the 2023/24 season has caused waves in the footballing world, with his dazzling performances propelling him above his peers.

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Since making his debut among the elite, the Kopa Trophy winner has never looked back as he continues to shatter records along the way.

During the 2023/24 season, he became the youngest player to score in La Liga history. In July this year, he made history by becoming the youngest player to both score and win the European Championship.

Speaking after his emergence as Barcelona’s fourth Golden Boy winner, Yamal said: “For me, it’s a pride to win the Golden Boy. I’m very happy, and it’s a dream.”

“I don’t want to forget my teammates, my coaches, the staff of both Barça and the Spanish national team. It’s been an incredible year, and it’s also ending in an incredible way.”

Lionel Messi (2005), Pedri González (2021), and Gavi (2022) are the three previous Barcelona players to have won the award.

Barcelona’s wonder-kid Yamal beats 24 others to win Best Young Player Award

Liverpool triumph over Real Madrid in Champions League showdown

Liverpool produced a commanding performance on Wednesday night, defeating defending champions Real Madrid 2-0 at Anfield to solidify their position atop the Champions League table.

The Reds started aggressively, with Darwin Núñez testing Thibaut Courtois in the 4th minute. The Madrid goalkeeper showcased his class, making a superb save to deny Núñez’s low drive destined for the bottom right corner.

Courtois continued his heroics in the 23rd minute, thwarting another chance from Núñez, who pounced on a rebound inside the box but failed to beat the Belgian shot-stopper.

Liverpool’s relentless pressure persisted, and Núñez came close again in the 33rd minute with a glancing header that narrowly missed the left post. Despite their dominance, the first half ended goalless.

The second half brought heightened drama. In the 49th minute, Mohamed Salah’s penalty appeal was waved away by referee François Letexier, despite protests from Liverpool players.

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Moments later, Liverpool broke the deadlock. In the 52nd minute, Conor Bradley delivered a precise pass to Alexis Mac Allister, who coolly slotted the ball into the bottom left corner, giving Liverpool a 1-0 lead.

Madrid had a golden opportunity to equalise in the 60th minute when they were awarded a penalty after Andrew Robertson’s foul. Kylian Mbappé stepped up, but Caoimhín Kelleher made a sensational save, diving to his right to deny the Frenchman.

Liverpool had their own chance to double the lead from the spot in the 70th minute after Ferland Mendy’s foul inside the box. However, Salah’s penalty struck the left post, keeping the scoreline intact.

Cody Gakpo sealed the victory in the 77th minute. The Dutch forward connected with Andrew Robertson’s lofted pass and beat Courtois with a well-placed header into the right side of the net, making it 2-0.

Madrid pressed in the final minutes, but Kelleher was outstanding, making crucial saves to deny Lucas Vázquez and Brahim Díaz in stoppage time.

Liverpool’s dominance, coupled with stellar goalkeeping, ensured their victory and maintained their unblemished Champions League campaign.

The win not only reaffirmed their top-table status but also showcased their intent to reclaim European glory.

Liverpool triumph over Real Madrid in Champions League showdown

UCL Roundup: Arsenal, Bayern triumph as Man City let 3-0 lead slip

Arsenal and Bayern Munich celebrated victories in the UEFA Champions League, while Manchester City stunned fans by surrendering a three-goal lead to draw.

Arsenal roared back to form with a dominant 5-1 win against Sporting at Estadio Jose Alvalade. Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Magalhães, Bukayo Saka, and Leandro Trossard scored for the Gunners, overpowering Gonçalo Inácio’s lone goal for the hosts.

The victory propels Arsenal to seventh in the Champions League standings, level on 10 points with Sporting, who sit just behind.

Bayern Munich kept their top-eight hopes alive in Germany with a narrow 1-0 victory against Paris Saint-Germain. Kim Min-jae’s decisive strike just before halftime sealed the win, leaving PSG winless in the competition since September.

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At the Etihad, Manchester City threw away a 3-0 lead to draw 3-3 with Feyenoord, extending their poor run. Early goals from Erling Haaland (2) and Ilkay Gundogan seemed to put City in control. However, Feyenoord fought back through Anis Hadj Moussa, Santiago Giménez, and David Hancko to earn a stunning point.

City, now winless in six matches across all competitions, sit 15th in the Champions League table with just seven points from five games. They face a critical Premier League clash against Liverpool on Sunday.

Tuesday’s action saw Barcelona dismantle Brest 5-0, Atalanta crush Young Boys 6-1, and Inter Milan edge RB Leipzig 1-0.

Bayer Leverkusen demolished RB Salzburg 5-0, Atletico Madrid routed Sparta Prague 6-0, and AC Milan secured a hard-fought 3-2 win against Slovan.

This Champions League round delivered plenty of drama, surprises, and standout performances as teams battle for progression.

UCL Roundup: Arsenal, Bayern triumph as Man City let 3-0 lead slip