In the same week, the Kopa trophy and the Golden Boy. The emergence of Gavi (5/VIII/2004) in the Barcelona first team has earned the Andalusian midfielder the two most prestigious awards for young footballers, under 21 years of age. The Tuttosport newspaper, organizer of the Golden Boy since 2003, announced that the Blaugrana is the winner of 2022.
As happened at the gala in Paris with the Kopa on Monday, Gavi also succeeds Pedri in the list of winners. The Andalusian, who turned 18 in August, played 47 games last season with the Barça shirt while also gaining a foothold in Luis Enrique's Spanish team, with which he was a Nations League finalist. Between the red and Barcelona, he celebrated three goals. An unforgettable season that has not gone unnoticed by the juries.
Gavi, trained at La Masia since he was 11 years old, is the fourth Spanish footballer to win the award after Cesc Fàbregas (2006), Isco Alarcón (2012) and the aforementioned Pedri (2021). As for Barça, Gavi and Pedri joined Messi (2005) as winners in these first twenty editions.
According to the organizers, Gavi has prevailed in the voting over Camavinga (Real Madrid) and the Pole from Roma Zalewski. Adeyemi, Bellingham, Nico Williams or Alejandro Balde also aspired to the award.
“It is an award that all young players want to have. I want to thank my family, my club and the national team and my teammates. Without them, none of this would have been possible”, dedicated the winner in a recorded video.
Jule Brand, 19-year-old Wolfsburg star, is one of the great figures on the international scene. Despite her youth, last summer she led the German team during the European Championship, guiding it to the Wembley final, in which England would be proclaimed champion.
On the other hand, the Catalan Alexia Putellas, who recently received her second Ballon d'Or, adds to her list of individual awards with the Golden Player.
