As a result of left back Alejandro Balde’s inclusion in the list of final 25 nominees for the Golden Boy Award, Barcelona will be able to defend their title for another season.

The Tuttosport Editorial Team also submitted five “wildcard” nominations, one of which was Lamine Yamal.

Other players that could be selected as wildcards include Arda Guler of Real Madrid, Bilal el Khannouss of Genk, Martin Batuina of Dinamo Zagreb, and Joao Neves of Benfica.

Balde had a wonderful breakthrough season last year, learning from Xavi as he took over for Jordi Alba at left back.

The 2022–2023 La Liga season concluded with him having contributed to seven goals and six assists.

Balde is in very good company with the other nominees for this honor, which include such luminaries as Jude Bellingham, Xavi Simons, Jamal Musiala, and Florian Wirtz.

The odds are that Real Madrid’s Bellingham will succeed last year’s winner Gavi on the trophy podium.

Regarding Yamal’s standing, the award’s originator, Massimo Franchi, singled out the 16-year-old by saying:

Amazingly, he was born in 2007 and is already 16 years old. He is a first-team regular for Barcelona and has represented Spain on the international stage. When compared to Pedri, Gavi, and Ansu, he easily sets new records.