France’s next generation of talent to be unearthed at ‘Golden Kid’ Awards | OneFootball

The first edition of the ‘Golden Kid’ Awards will take place in Paris this weekend, rewarding the future stars of the French game.

The project, a brainchild of L’Équipe journalist Loïc Tanzi and streamer Isoline Almeida, and sponsored by Mathys Tel, on loan at Tottenham Hotspur from Bayern Munich, will be the first ceremony to reward young French talent in multiple categories from U17 to U19 level. The ceremony will put the spotlight on the depth of talent in France and the strength of French academies, whose products fill up Europe’s top five leagues.

In total, 18 players have been nominated across six categories. The players have been selected by a jury, consisting of three scouts from professional clubs abroad, as well as a former player, a journalist who specialises in youth football, and an influencer.

Chelsea’s Mathis Amougou nominated

It is in the ‘Golden Kid Foreign Professional’ category that the more household names are featured, with recent Chelsea signing Mathis Amougou nominated, as well as Hellas Verona’s Mathys Lambourde, Yverdon-Sport’s Fodé Sylla, Red Bull Salzburg’s Joane Gadou, and Red Bull Leipzig’s Tidiam Gomis.

In the domestic professional category, FC Nantes’ Herba Guirassy, RC Lens’ Kylian Antonio, Stade Rennais’ Kader Meïté, Paris Saint-Germain’s Ibrahim Mbaye, and AJ Auxerre’s Rudy Matondo are all up for the award. There are also categories for Future U19 Golden Kid, U19 Golden Kid, for which PSG’s Axel Tape is notably nominated, Future U17 Golden Kid, and U17 Golden Kid. The awards, the first of their kind in France, will unearth the future stars of the French game ahead of time.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle