Golden Boy Award 2024 nominates Cameroonian soccer player of Brighton Carlos Baleba

The award considers the nominees Under-21 and play in a European nation’s top tier. Jude Bellingham of Real Madrid was the winner of the 2023 edition.

Soccer Player Carlos Baleba from Brighton
Soccer Player Carlos Baleba from Brighton

Cameroonian international player Carlos Baleba is nominated for the 2024 Golden Boy Award. The soccer player aged 20 has been nominated alongside nine African Footballers on the 100-man who are shortlisted for the award.

Carlos Baleba has been selected along with the three Brighton players who were nominated for the 2024 Golden Boy Award.

Reportedly, the award recognises the Best Under-21 players in the world. In 2023, Jude Bellingham was the winner of the award.

Originally known as Carlos Noom Quomah Baleba, the Cameroonian professional footballer plays as a central or defensive midfielder for Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion.

Image representing trophy of Golden Boy Award
Image representing trophy of Golden Boy Award

The player was born on January 04, 2004, and is best known for his dribbling skills. He has good stamina and passing range.

Footballer Baleba is a complete midfielder who plays in a box-to-box role as a holding midfielder. The soccer player considers Paul Pogba, Kevin De Bruyne, Thiago Alcantara, and former Lille players Nicolas Pepe and Idrissa Gueye as a collection of his idols, and he idolises them.

Carlos Baleba learnt from these players and is fond of their roles, positions and skills.

Other than Carlos Baleba, other Africans who are nominated for the 2024 Golden Boy Awards are:

  • Bilal El Khannaous from Genk football team
  • Ibrahim Osman from team FC Nordsjaelland
  • Illias Ahhomach from Villarreal
  • El Hadji Malik Diouf from the Red Star Belgrade team
  • Yankabu Minteh from Feyenoord
  • Karim Konate from the Red Bull Salzburg team
  • Christopher Bonsu, another player from Genku team
  • Noah Sadiki from Royale Union Saint-Gilloise
Jude Bellingham, winner of 2023 Golden Boy Award
Jude Bellingham, winner of 2023 Golden Boy Award

It is anticipated that Barcelona’s Yamine Lamal, Benefica’s Jao Neves and Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho are the favourites for this year’s award and might bring it to their home.

Golden Boy Awards was established by ‘Tuttosport’ (an Italian sports newspaper which is published in Turin, Italy).

The award is given by the sports journalists to the young male footballer who plays in Europe. It is received by the players who are most impressive during the calendar year (of two halves to two separate seasons).

It is mandatory to consider the nominees only, Under-21 and play in a European nation’s top tier. Jude Bellingham of Real Madrid was the winner of the 2023 edition.

Besides the main award, a special award known as, ‘Golden Boy Web’ is also given to the best and most popular player, who is decided by online users.