Barcelona prodigy and Bundesliga whizkid toe-to-toe in the Golden Boy Award race – report

The football awards season is almost upon us. Next week, France Football will give away the Ballon d’Or award and the Raymond Kopa Trophy before the prestigious Golden Boy award will be handed out to the best player under the age of 21 by Tuttosport in November.

Barcelona midfielder Pedri won the Golden Boy award for 2021 and as per reports, the prestigious honour could be coming back to Spotify Camp Nou once again this year.

Indeed, as reported by Francesc Aguilar, Barça midfield prodigy Gavi is one of the top contenders to win the Golden Boy award for 2022, although is involved in a tight duel with Borussia Dortmund ace Jude Bellingham.

A product of the La Masia youth academy, Gavi enjoyed a stunning breakthrough campaign last season at the age of just 17. The midfielder became a regular member of the first-team setup not only at Barcelona but also with the Spanish national team.

Gavi’s performances for club and country earned him a new long-term contract with the Catalans earlier this month, with the 18-year-old now a regular starter for Xavi ahead of Frenkie de Jong and Franck Kessie.

However, Bellingham is also on an upward trend in his career graph, having enjoyed a spectacular campaign with Dortmund last season. He has continued in the same vein of form this term as well and has even captained the team despite being just 19 years old.

The England international has been linked with a move to Barcelona’s arch-rivals Real Madrid next summer. Should the move go through, Gavi and Bellingham could be seen butting heads on the field regularly.

For now, their battle will be limited to the Golden Boy award and it will be interesting to see who comes out on top in the race for the prestigious honour.