Barcelona Withdraws Lamine Yamal from Golden Boy Ceremony Over Travel Dispute
Barcelona's rising star, Lamine Yamal, will miss the Golden Boy award ceremony due to a disagreement between the club and the event organizers over travel arrangements.
Lamine Yamal, Barcelona's prodigious talent, has had an exceptional year, contributing significantly to both his club and the Spanish national team. His performances have earned him the prestigious Golden Boy award, an accolade recognizing the best under-21 player in Europe. However, Yamal will not attend the award ceremony scheduled for December 16 in Turin.
The absence stems from a dispute between Barcelona and the Italian publication Tuttosport, the event's organizer. Barcelona proposed sending Yamal, along with Vicky López, the Golden Girl award recipient, and Aitana Bonmatí, the Women's Ballon d'Or winner, to the ceremony via a chartered flight. Tuttosport, however, arranged for standard commercial flights and informed Barcelona that the players would need to stay overnight in Turin, as the city's airport closes early, preventing a same-day return.
Unwilling to accept these travel conditions, Barcelona decided to withdraw their players from the event. Consequently, Yamal will not be present to receive his award in person. This situation highlights the club's commitment to managing player schedules and well-being, especially during a congested fixture period.
Despite his absence from the ceremony, Yamal's achievements this year remain noteworthy. His contributions have been instrumental in Barcelona's successes, and the Golden Boy award serves as a testament to his burgeoning talent and impact on European football.