Real Madrid News
Real Madrid starlet among the 20 finalists for the Golden Boy Award 2022
According to journalist Arancha Rodriguez, Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga is among the top 20 finalists of the prestigious Golden Boy award. Interestingly enough, he is the only Real Madrid player to feature in the list of top 20.
Golden Boy award is a yearly individual honour given by sports journalists to players playing in Europe under the age of 21. Established by Tuttosport in 2003, several representatives from the top newspapers across the continent get to make a vote.
Former Ajax midfielder Rafael van der Vaart was the first-ever winner of the title in 2003 and Barcelona midfielder Pedri is the current title holder. Out of the 19 editions of the title, players from France and Spain have won it a joint-highest three times.
This includes the likes of Paul Pogba, Anthony Martial and Kylian Mbappe from France while Cesc Fabregas, Isco and Pedri from Spain. Furthermore, while Manchester United has had the highest representation in the past (three), a Real Madrid player is yet to be adjudged with the title.
Going by the words of Francesc Aguilar, Camavinga, despite enjoying a great 2021-22 season with Real Madrid, is far from winning the trophy this year, as it is currently being contested between Gavi and Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham.
Camavinga made a total of 40 appearances across all competitions in his debut campaign with the team. While his outings in La Liga were limited to just 26 appearances, he went on to play in each of Madrid’s 10 UEFA Champions League games last season.
This includes a substitute appearance in the final, which Real won 1-0 courtesy of Vinicius Jr’s 59th-minute strike.
Meanwhile, apart from the mentioned names, the likes of Karim Adeyemi (Borussia Dortmund), Fabio Carvalho (Liverpool), Ansu Fati (Barcelona) and Ryan Gravenberch (Bayern Munich) are among the most notable nominees this year.
The Santiago Bernabeu is ready for the first time in a fortnight as Real Madrid are set to host relegation-threatened Real Valladolid for gameweek 27 of La Liga. The gap between them and Barcelona was increased to 15 yesternight, and los blancos will be looking to cut it down to 12 to scarce the tiniest bit of hope of defending their league crown.
Carlo Ancelotti has opted to use a highly attacking starting lineup for the clash, with Karim Benzema spearheading the front-three. He is flanked by Marco Asensio on the right while Vinicius Jr retains his place on the left.
Rodrygo also gets the nod to start, probably as an attacking midfielder in what looks like a 4-2-3-1.
Aurelien Tchouameni has been given the nod in midfield, with Toni Kroos forming the double pivot alongside him.
With Antonio Rudiger, Ferland Mendy, and Nacho out injured, Eduardo Camavinga gets the license to start as the left-back, while Lucas Vazquez flanks the defence from the right. The usual suspects — Eder Militao and David Alaba — start in central defence.
Thibaut Courtois was a doubt heading into this game, but has been given the medical greenlight to take his place as the goalkeeper.
Madrid XI: Courtois; Vazquez, Militao, Alaba, Camavinga; Tchouameni, Kroos; Asensio, Rodrygo, Vinicius; Benzema
