Golden Boy, Girl 2026: Estêvão, Yohannes to succeed Doué, Agyemang?

Arsenal, Liverpool, Real Madrid, AC Milan, Juventus and Manchester United have all been linked to him, and he appears tipped to become the next great defensive midfielder. It's easy to see why.

He's 6-foot-1 with a lean build, but strides forward with power and has a remarkable ability to quicken his step just enough to nip in and intercept a pass. He ranks in the 85th percentile in Ligue 1 for dribblers tackled, plus the 78th and 92nd percentiles for progressive passes and successful take-ons, respectively. This is a player who can halt opponents' attacks, then start his own in seconds.

Earlier this month, Bouaddi signed a new deal with Lille until 2029, but that will do little to stop a big transfer next summer if he carries on as he is.

4. Pau Cubarsí, Barcelona 18-year-old center back

This time last year, the 2025 Golden Boy award looked like it was Cubarsí's to lose. At 17, he was commanding a starting place at center back in a Barcelona team fancied to win the Champions League -- they weren't far off doing so, either, losing the semifinal in extra time -- and he surely would have beaten Doué to the prize had Barça lifted the trophy.

Unfortunately, his route to challenging for it in 2026 looks much tougher. Barcelona do not look as strong, and a big part of that is due to their defense caving in: nine teams have conceded fewer goals than their 20 in LaLiga so far, and they've let 11 in from just six Champions League games.

To put all of that blame on Cubarsí would be ridiculous, but the sad reality for defenders when it comes to winning individual awards is that they require team success to prop them up. So for the 18-year-old to really stand a chance of winning the Golden Boy, his teammates need to step things up.

3. Franco Mastantuono, Real Madrid, 18, FW

It takes a special player to move from South America to Europe aged 18, sign for Real Madrid, and immediately win a consistent role in the first team amid elite competition for places. So it's a huge shame that Mastantuono has been knocked off course by injury, having already exceeded 500 LaLiga minutes and played three times in the Champions League by the start of November.

The Argentina international is a free spirit and a fine creator; he is often fielded on the wing for Madrid (and was previously for River Plate), but still exhibits the traits of a classic No. 10 playmaker. He underpins that with a relentless workrate, which is why manager Xabi Alonso took to him immediately.

When he returns from injury, the teenager will need to up his goal contributions (he's scored just once) in order to maintain a grip on a place in the XI and stake his claim for the award -- especially now star midfielder Jude Bellingham has returned from injury.

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Klinsmann calls Bayern goalscorer Karl a 'super special talent'

Jurgen Klinsmann shares how impressed he's been with young Bayern star Lennart Karl, after the 17-year-old scored in their win over Sporting.

2. Lennart Karl, Bayern Munich, 17, AM

Bayern hearts were broken at the FIFA Club World Cup last summer when star playmaker Jamal Musiala fractured his leg and was ruled out for the rest of 2025. But when one door closes, another opens, and Musiala's absence provided a pathway for 17-year-old Karl to make his mark.

Last week, Karl became the youngest-ever player to score in three consecutive Champions League games. The second goal in that streak came at the Emirates Stadium against Arsenal, garnishing an excellent individual performance that showed remarkable maturity for one so young.

A diminutive presence at only 5-foot-6, he can ghost past opponents into little pockets of space, then lift his head to shoot or pick a pass. In fact, he has a particular penchant for a long-range effort and already boasts a fine catalogue of goals.

Karl is the true breakout star of the 2025-26 campaign so far, emerging from nowhere to play a sizable role at an elite European club. Musiala's impending return to fitness is expected to eat into his playing time, but the 17-year-old should has shown what he can do and will surely play a large role next year too.

1. Estêvão, Chelsea, 18, FW

Estêvão's immediate impact at Chelsea has been startling. Last summer, he arrived at Stamford Bridge from Palmeiras for a fee that could reach €67 million amid the sort of fanfare and hype that could crush a young player. Instead, he's taken everything in his stride. Enzo Maresca has had to force himself to measure the Brazilian's playing time, admitting: "It's too easy to put him on the pitch and let him play, play, play. In some moments, we have to manage him a little bit."

But with every highlight reel moment Estêvão provides -- be it a 95th-minute winner against Liverpool, or a spectacular goal against Barcelona -- that task becomes more difficult. He has already clocked 852 minutes in all competitions for the Blues and will only feature more often from here. The fans demand it; they've fallen for him head over heels already.

The way he's turning heads right now, he's a natural pick for the Golden Boy favorite. He may not even need Chelsea to win a trophy to cement his claim, as he'll go to the 2026 FIFA World Cup with Brazil and surely star -- he already has five goals in 11 appearances for the Seleçao. -- Tighe

GOLDEN GIRL

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Can Brighton and England cope without Michelle Agyemang?

Gabriele Marcotti and Don Hutchison react to Michelle Agyemang suffering a serious ACL injury in the Lionesses' 3-0 victory over Australia

Honourable mentions: With Spurs' Signe Gaupset and Bayern's Momoko Tanikawa both set to age out before next year's award cycle, neither could be considered for inclusion this time around. Tottenham's Toko Koga also narrowly missed out, largely due to limited game time as she continues to adjust to a new league while managing a minor injury setback. After finding opportunities scarce at Barcelona, Giulia Dragoni has been on loan at Roma since 2024 but the club's struggles have restricted her ability to make a sustained impact. Meanwhile, Barcelona's Emilia Szymczak also remains a promising long-term prospect, but a shoulder injury and a lack of minutes during her loan spell at struggling Liverpool have seen others move ahead of her in the pecking order. Finally, defender Veerle Buurman completed a permanent move to Chelsea at the start of the season following a productive loan spell at PSV, but it remains difficult to assess her progress as she fights to establish herself in an exceptionally competitive squad.

5. Sydney Schertenleib, 18, CM, Barcelona

A highly technical and creative attacking talent, Schertenleib has emerged as one of the most exciting young prospects in European football. Developing her career at Barcelona after moving from Grasshopper in 2024, she is comfortable operating as an attacking midfielder or winger, thriving in space between the lines, and stands out for her control and movement in tight spaces. Her creativity in the final third is a key asset, combining awareness of teammates' movements with the quality to deliver incisive passes or take responsibility around the box. Beyond technique, she shows advanced game intelligence for her age, reading space and timing runs.

However, Barcelona have restricted her minutes. She's made just eight starts in Spain's Liga F and has yet to appear in the Champions League. Her development is dependent on gaining more consistent minutes and a lack thereof might hold her back from lifting the Golden Girl title next year.

4. Katie Reid, 19, CB, Arsenal

No injury ever comes at a good time, but Reid's ACL issue arrived at arguably the worst possible moment. The defender, then 18, had just broken into Arsenal's first team, displacing a WSL and a World Cup winner (Laia Codina) in the process. A run of commanding performances earned her a string of starts and, soon after, a maiden senior international call-up for England.

But a minor setback struck before Reid could report to camp and, several weeks later, disaster followed in training when she suffered an ACL injury that is expected to rule her out for much, if not all, of the 2025-26 season.

The injury has done little to diminish the regard in which she is held at both club and international level, though. Comfortable at both right back and center back, Reid is tall, composed and a significant threat at set pieces. Calm in possession and authoritative in her defending, she possesses all the attributes of a future world-class defender, and a potential club captain.

Despite a limited sample of senior minutes, she still ranked highly for duels contested and fouls won, underlining why she remains one of the most exciting defensive prospects in the game.

3. Iman Beney, 19, FW, Manchester City

The Switzerland international has been tipped to be a star for some time, but her summer move to WSL heavyweights Manchester City -- completed before her standout performances at Euro 2025 on home soil -- was the big transfer many had been anticipating.

Rather than rushing to make the step up following an ACL injury in 2023, Beney chose to remain at a smaller club and focus on rediscovering her best form. That patience has paid off handsomely and now fully fit, she has emerged as a vital cog in a City side pushing for what would be their first WSL title since 2016.

In nine WSL appearances so far, she has contributed two goals and one assist, but it was on the international stage at Euro 2025 where her full potential truly came into view. Operating primarily at full back -- though equally capable further forward as a winger -- she ranked highest among her peers for progressive carries and passes, as well as tackles and interceptions, highlighting an impressive blend of attacking thrust and defensive intelligence.

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Why the 'sky is the limit' for USWNT's Lily Yohannes

Lianne Sanderson speaks after Lily Yohannes' performance for OL Lyonnes vs. St. Pölten in the Women's Champions League.

2. Alara Sehitler, 19, AM, Bayern Munich

Sehitler is enjoying a breakout season with Bayern Munich, having risen through the club's youth ranks to establish herself in the first team. She has made 17 appearances across the Frauen Bundesliga and UEFA Women's Champions League, scoring four goals.

A technically gifted and creative midfielder, Şehitler thrives in possession and plays an important role in Bayern's build-up play. She has composure on the ball, excellent awareness, and an ability to link defensive and attacking phases. Her passing accuracy and distribution underline her comfort in central areas, while her work rate and positional discipline allow her to contribute defensively and during transitions.

She has made a huge contribution to Bayern's domestic and European campaign and, while still in the early stages of her career, she has four caps for Germany's senior team after a standout performance against England at U23 level fast-tracked her inclusion.

1. Lily Yohannes, 18, CM, OL Lyonnes

Still age-eligible, Yohannes remains firmly in contention for the Golden Girl award, and her case has been strengthened further by her move from Ajax to eight-time Champions League winners OL Lyonnes. While many expected the USWNT midfielder to be eased in slowly and spend much of the season on the bench, OL Lyonnes have instead shown immediate trust in her, and she has featured in all five Champions League games thus far.

The step up in quality has also accelerated her development. Yohannes' standout attribute is her ability to read the game; she displays a tactical awareness well beyond her years, consistently finding pockets of space and breaking defensive lines with her passing and vision.

She has a maturity usually associated with far more experienced midfielders and there is a notable calmness to her play which allows her to dictate rhythm and tempo for both club and country. Her decision making is sharp, supported by an excellent first touch and close control that remains reliable even under pressure.

Training daily within OL Lyonnes' star-studded squad has only refined these qualities, further elevating her already impressive game. -- Keogh