Bayern’s Karl and Cologne’s El Mala feature among five Bundesliga stars on the Golden Boy shortlist.
Bayern’s Lennart Karl and Cologne’s Saïd El Mala have secured spots among five Bundesliga stand‑outs on the 25‑player Golden Boy shortlist, which honors the world’s top under‑21 talent.
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Presented annually by Italian sports newspaper Tuttosport since 2003, the Golden Boy honours the best under-21 player competing in one of Europe’s top-flight leagues, as determined by the UEFA coefficient rankings. The winner is selected by a panel of leading football journalists.
Karl earned his place on the shortlist after a breakthrough 2025/26 campaign in which he helped Bayern secure a Bundesliga and DFB Cup double. The 18-year-old contributed nine goals and eight assists in 40 competitive appearances, while also winning his first three senior Germany caps. A thigh injury ultimately denied him the chance to feature at the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Watch:Lennart Karl lighting up the game
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Saïd El Mala of Cologne and Stuttgart’s Finn Jeltsch also earned places on the 25‑player roster.
El Mala netted 15 goals and added four assists in a dazzling 2025/26 debut, while Jeltsch’s defensive grit across 23 games propelled Stuttgart into the Champions League. In my view, Jeltsch’s consistency outshines many seasoned backs.
Watch: Saïd El Mala’s top Bundesliga moments in 2025/26
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The best of Saïd El Mala in the Bundesliga in 2025/26–><!–>
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Borussia Dortmund’s summer arrivals – striker Konstantinos Karetsas and centre‑back Joane Gadou – also cracked the shortlist.
Leipzig’s 19‑year‑old Yan Diomande joined the elite 25 after a stellar campaign, tallying 13 goals and 10 assists in 36 matches and clinching Rookie of the Season before moving to Real Madrid.
Defender Luka Vušković, who thrived on loan at Hamburg, rounds out the shortlisted defenders.
Watch:New faces on Dortmund’s roster – will they reshape the league this season?
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