Golden Boy award winners that have changed clubs this summer
Most of the European transfer windows for the summer of 2025 have now closed, even though some are still open in the smaller European leagues, such as the Greek Superleague and the Turkish Süperlig, for example. However, the chances that any of the former Golden Boy award winners who have not already switched clubs will move there are slim. So, with all the transfers done (most likely), let’s go through the award winners who changed clubs this summer, listed in chronological order with the latest winners first.
João Felix - Golden Boy award winner 2019
The Portuguese João Felix is one of those super talents who never really seems to reach the next level. He had plenty of chances at Atlético Madrid over the years and also tried his luck at Chelsea, Barcelona, and AC Milan, but none of those spells worked out.
It now seems both the bigger European clubs and Felix himself have given up on him becoming a world-class forward, as he has opted for the money of the Saudi Pro League. Al-Nassr paid 30 million euros plus 20 million in potential add-ons for his services. Perhaps it was the right decision for him, as he began by scoring a hat-trick in his very first league game for his new club.
Who knows, maybe a season or two in a so-called “Mickey Mouse league,” scoring freely, could boost his confidence and pave the way for a proper breakthrough back in Europe.
Renato Sanches - Golden Boy award winner 2016
Another Portuguese winner who moved this summer is Renato Sanches, yet another talent who never fully lived up to the hype. After struggling to establish himself as a teenager, he found success with a couple of strong seasons at Lille. But following his transfer to Paris Saint-Germain and loan spells at Roma and Benfica, he is once again out on loan.
This time, Greek giants Panathinaikos have taken him on a season-long deal. No offense to the Greek league, but by now it seems clear Renato Sanches will never become the superstar many once predicted.
Raheem Sterling - Golden Boy award winner 2014
Englishman Raheem Sterling spent last season on loan from Chelsea to Arsenal, but his time there can only be described as disappointing. He featured in 28 matches, but most of them were as a substitute or ended with him being taken off early in the second half. His single goal came in the League Cup — hardly a return worthy of an attacking player of his caliber.
Unsurprisingly, Arsenal did not extend the loan or make it permanent, meaning Sterling is back at Chelsea this season. Whether he will get chances there remains to be seen, but with all the new attacking arrivals at the club, his minutes on the pitch may be very limited.
Paul Pogba - Golden Boy award winner 2013
Paul Pogba played his last competitive match on the 3rd of September 2023, exactly two years ago today. The reason is well known to most football fans: his 18-month doping ban, which was lifted in March this year. By then, however, he had already parted ways with Juventus, with both sides agreeing to terminate his contract back in November last year.
Ahead of this season, Pogba has found a new club — Monaco — signing a 2-year deal in Ligue 1. Given his two-year absence, he will likely need a long adaptation period, but if he regains form he could still prove to be a very valuable signing.
Mario Balotelli - Golden Boy award winner 2010
Is Mario Balotelli still playing, you might wonder? The (in)famous troublemaker has not officially retired, but he is currently without a contract. He was at Genoa last season, where he made only six appearances, the last of them on December 21, 2024. It is highly uncertain whether any club will take a chance on the now 35-year-old striker. Most likely, we have seen the last of Balotelli at the top level.
And finally...
Those are all the club changes and current statuses of the still-active Golden Boy award winners, but we should also note that Alexandre Pato, the 2009 winner, officially retired from football on January 1 this year.