Rabat – Football star Lamine Yamal has capped off an incredible 2024 by winning the prestigious Best Emerging Player award at the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai.
The 17-year-old winger from FC Barcelona has had a remarkable year, as he displayed his skills both domestic and international competitions.
Yamal, who was accompanied by FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta, agent Jorge Mendes, and club executives at the event, triumphed over other top young players like Pau Cubarsí, Alejandro Garnacho, and Arda Güler.
In his acceptance speech, Yamal expressed his gratitude to his family, teammates, coaches, and the Spanish national team, with whom he won the Eurocup this year, FCBN reported.
“I want to thank Globe Soccer for the award, my family, my mother and my brother for being here with me, my father, who couldn’t come and is in Barcelona, I love you very much,” he said.
The award adds to a collection of honors Yamal has received in 2024, including the Kopa Trophy and the Golden Boy award.
With his remarkable performance, Yamal has become one of the most valuable players in the football world. According to Transfermarkt’s latest market value update, Yamal is now valued at $187.2 million, surpassing the $166.4 million market value of Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé.
This makes him the most valuable player in Barcelona’s squad, second only to Vinícius Jr. in LaLiga, who has a valuation of $208 million.
Yamal, who is currently recovering from an injury sustained during a La Liga game this month, vowed to “come back stronger.”
“I am in a recovery process which I am very sure I will come back from and with more determination,” he said in a video shared by his club on social media today.
“When you stop playing for a while, that’s when you realize your work, what you are doing, and I will come back better than ever,” the young player added.
