The race to be crowned Golden Boy Absolute Best 2025 is underway, as the top 100 candidates of U21 players in European football have been revealed through the Golden Boy Football Benchmark Index.
Developed by Football Benchmark in partnership with Tuttosport, the first update of the Index ranks the most impactful young players across Europe’s top leagues based on their performances between 7 October 2024 and 18 May 2025.
As the data-driven engine behind the Golden Boy Absolute Best award, the Index evaluates players through a methodology focused on sporting performance, playing time, club strength, and contributions in UEFA Club Competitions and international matches, providing a unique and objective view of the game’s next superstars.
Who will succeed Lamine Yamal?
Despite winning the award in 2024, Lamine Yamal still tops the 2025 Index after another outstanding campaign for FC Barcelona. While he’s no longer eligible to win again, due to being a previous winner, his position at the top of the list highlights the consistency of his performances at the highest level.
Second on the list is Pau Cubarsí, another graduate of La Masia. His emergence in 2024 saw him become a key part of the club’s youth-focused strategy to rebuild the team. He now appears to be a frontrunner to succeed Yamal for the coveted award.
Just behind him is Désiré Doué, who delivered a historic performance in the UEFA Champions League Final for winners Paris Saint-Germain FC. He became the youngest French player to start a UEFA Champions League Final and the first in history to register three goal contributions in the match, with two goals and one assist.
The current top 10 features several players who have made a big impact this season. Myles Lewis-Skelly is a new entrant into the top 100 altogether after bursting onto the scene at Arsenal FC this season, earning a regular place in the first team with a series of composed performances. Dean Huijsen has jumped from 89th to 6th place in the rankings since the 2024 awards, thanks to his impressive performances for AFC Bournemouth this season. His standout form has earned him a summer transfer to Real Madrid CF.
Meanwhile, Geovany Quenda of Sporting Clube de Portugal, who is set to join Chelsea FC in 2026, has also significantly improved his ranking, rising from 92nd last year to 9th place as of May 2025. Returning names to the top 10, such as Warren Zaïre-Emery (Paris Saint-Germain FC) and Jorrel Hato (AFC Ajax), maintain strong positions following consistent performances.
Defenders make up the largest group in the top 100, with 39 players featured, a significant increase from 25 last year. This shift indicates a growing trend of clubs relying on young defenders not only for their defensive qualities, but also for their increasing influence in possession and build-up play. Midfielders account for 26 players, while 32 forwards are included. The top 100 is completed by just three goalkeepers, again underlining how rare it is for young players to break through as first-choice in such a specialised position at senior level.
Chelsea FC lead all clubs with four players featured in the top 100. Just behind them, AS Monaco FC, Club Brugge, FC Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain FC, RB Leipzig, and Tottenham Hotspur FC each have three players represented. A further 15 clubs have two players included in the ranking.
When broken down by domestic leagues, both the Premier League and Ligue 1 lead the way this year, with 14 players each in the top 100. This represents a notable drop for the Premier League, compared to 23 last year, and a slight decrease for Ligue 1, from 17. The Bundesliga has risen to 11 players from 10, while La Liga, the Belgian Pro League, and the Eredivisie each contribute eight.
France has emerged as the standout nationality, with 17 players featured, a significant rise from 10 last year. With high-profile talents such as Désiré Doué and Warren Zaïre-Emery, the depth of the country’s talent pipeline is apparent as Ligue 1 clubs demonstrate a commitment to giving young players meaningful minutes at senior level.
Belgium follows with 10 players, up from nine, while Spain and England each contribute eight. Meanwhile, nations such as Türkiye (6), Norway (6), and Denmark (6) have seen notable growth in representation, having previously had just 4, 2, and 2 players, respectively. This trend reflects how clubs in these countries are increasingly accelerating the transition of young talent from the academy to the first team.
“Developing young players is an increasing strategic priority for ambitious football clubs,” said Andrea Sartori, Founder & CEO of Football Benchmark. “It demands alignment across the entire club to accelerate the transition from academy to first team. The Golden Boy Football Benchmark Index reflects our commitment to youth development by offering a clear, data-driven view of where top talent is emerging and how clubs are helping shape the future of the game.”
Only players born in 2005 or later competing in the top 25 leagues in Europe are eligible, with players from relegated clubs excluded. For the full ranking and methodology, visit: Golden Boy Football Benchmark Index – Golden Boy Awards
The next update of the Index will be in July, and the winner of the Golden Boy Absolute Best 2025 will be announced later this year. With Lamine Yamal no longer eligible, the race is wide open, and it will be exciting to see who steps up as the next star of the game.
