The Golden Girl is an award that is given by sports journalists to a young female footballer playing in Europe perceived to have been the most impressive during a calendar year (two halves to two separate seasons). All nominees must be under the age of 21 and play in a European nation's top tier.

Selection The prize was established by the Italian sports newspaper Tuttosport in 2022. It is awarded along with the Golden Boy given to the best under-21 male footballer. It is presented by Tuttosport based on the votes of 50 sports journalists. The journalists who participate in the voting include Bild (Germany), Blick (Switzerland), A Bola (Portugal), l'Équipe (France), France Football (France), Marca (Spain), Mundo Deportivo (Spain), Ta Nea (Greece), Sport Express (Russia), De Telegraaf (Netherlands), and The Times (United Kingdom).

Players must be on a team in a top division in one of the top 25 leagues in Europe based on UEFA coefficient rankings as of May or June of that year in order to be eligible for the Golden Girl award.

A final selection of 10 applicants is produced by the panel from a shortlist of 100 players. Journalists from all throughout Europe then cast their votes for the prize. The journalists cast their votes for the top three options, giving the top option five points, the second option three points, and the third option one point. The player with the most points at the end is crowned the winner after those points are tallied to get the final rankings.

Winners YearWinnerClub(s)PositionBirth yearRef(s)2022 Jule Brand Hoffenheim WolfsburgMidfielder20022023 Linda Caicedo Real MadridForward20052024 Vicky López BarcelonaMidfielder20062025 Michelle Agyemang Arsenal Brighton & Hove Albion (loan)Forward2006

Awards won by position

PositionWin(s)MidfielderForward

Awards won by nationality

CountryWin(s)Year(s) Germany12022 Colombia12023 Spain12024 England12025

Awards won by club

Year in bold have shared the win with other clubs.

+ClubWin(s)Year(s) Hoffenheim2022 Wolfsburg2022 Real Madrid2023 Barcelona2024 Arsenal2025 Brighton & Hove Albion 2025

Best Italian Golden Girl The Best Italian Golden Girl Award is given out to the top under 21 year old Italian female football player active in Europe.

YearWinnerClub(s)PositionBirth yearRef(s)2024Giulia Dragoni BarcelonaRoma (loan)Midfielder2006Giulia Dragoni wins Best Italian Golden Girl2025Eva SchatzerJuventusMidfielder2005Best Italian Golden Girl: Juventus Eva Schatzer wins

See also Bravo Award Golden Boy (award) Kopa Trophy Ballon d'Or

Notes

References