Prodigious Barcelona and Spain midfielder Pablo Gavi has been awarded the Golden Boy Award for 2022, after receiving the Kopa Award at the Ballon d’Or award ceremony in Paris a few days ago.
The youngster burst on to the scene towards the end of the 2020/21 season and has since taken the footballing world by storm with his brilliance. Within no time, Gavi has become almost irreplaceable for both club and country, becoming a regular starter under both Xavi Hernandez and Spanish national team coach Luis Enrique.
Gavi faced stiff competition from other extremely talented candidates, including 19-year-old Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga, and Bayern Munich attacker Jamal Musiala.
All candidates had a legitimate chance of winning the coveted trophy heading into the event. Bellingham had a fantastic season with Dortmund, orchestrating the Dortmund attack, as he and Norwegian striker Erling Haaland formed a lethal combination. The Englishman was also given the captain’s armband on a number of occasions, even becoming the youngest captain to score in a UEFA Champions League game.
Musiala and Camavinga have also sparkled in recent times, with each player becoming a starter in their respective clubs. Camavinga has now cemented his place in the Real Madrid side after the departure of veteran midfielder Casemiro, who joined Manchester United.
Musiala, on the other hand, has become a first-choice attacker for Bayern, amassing 15 goal contributions in 14 games this season.
Gavi’s victory comes immediately after his teammate and compatriot Pedri won the award in 2021 following a breakthrough season. The Golden Boy award for Gavi makes him the third Barcelona player to win the award after Lionel Messi.
