Pedri and Gavi among 20 Golden Boy finalists

Pedri and Gavi are both among the 20 finalists to become this year’s Golden Boy, the award that Italian paper Tuttosport presents to the best player aged under 21 of the year. 

Pedri, who has just extended his contract to 2026, has become a regular for both Barça and Spain in his breakthrough year, while Gavi has impressed since making his debut this season, and also became the youngest player ever to win a senior cap for Spain.

The original list of 100 aspirants has been progressively cut to 80, then 60, 40 and now 20 players who are hoping to follow on from last year’s winner Erling Haaland. 

Leo Messi was the first Barça player to win the award in 2003, while Ansu Fati came second last year, although he won the Web Golden Boy, which goes to the player with the most votes on the internet. 

When Tuttosport announced the 40 finalists, it titled a piece "Chasing Pedri", which strongly hints that the Barça star is the favourite in this year’s edition.