Barcelona's Lamine Yamal and Manchester United's Kobbie Mainoo among players nominated for 2024 Globe Soccer Emerging Player award
Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo and Barcelona's Lamine Yamal are among the players nominated for the 2024 Globe Soccer Emerging Player award. The likes of Alejandro Garnacho, Pau Cubarsi, and Arda Guler, among others, have also been nominated for the prize.
This annual event is held in Dubai, and the award will be given on December 27 this year. It isn't surprising to see Mainoo and Yamal's names on this list, given their performances in recent times.
Mainoo enjoyed a breakthrough 2023/24 campaign with the Red Devils that saw him make 35 appearances across competitions, bagging five goals and three assists. He continues to play a prominent role for Manchester United this campaign in the deeper areas of midfield.
However, the England international is currently injured and has made nine appearances across competitions this year. In his absence, Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro have partnered each other in midfield.
Yamal, meanwhile, has established himself as one of the brightest talents around Europe following his exploits for Barcelona and Spain at Euro 2024. Last campaign, the 17-year-old made 50 appearances across competitions for the Catalan outfit, bagging seven goals and nine assists.
He followed this up with a goal and four assists at the European Championships in the summer. Yamal's hot form has flowed through into the current season as well, where he's netted six goals and eight assists in 16 matches across competitions.
Yamal and Mainoo are certainly frontrunners heading into the announcement of this award in Dubai.
Deco clarifies Barcelona's stance on pursuing Manchester United target
Barcelona sporting director Deco has clarified that Sporting's Viktor Gyokeres is not a top priority for the club as of now. The Blaugrana have been linked with the Sweden international, with the side looking for a long-term Robert Lewandowski replacement.
Given Gyokeres' form, he's been watched by other European clubs, including Arsenal and Manchester United. Addressing Barcelona's pursuit of the Sporting man, Deco said (via Metro):
"He is a good player, he has been scoring goals for a long time in Portugal."
"We know him like others but he is not a priority at the moment and we looking for a No.9 to replace Robert [Lewandowski] because we want him to remain happy, scoring goals and at least stay for another season."
Gyokeres has netted 23 goals and bagged four assists in 18 appearances across competitions this campaign. He's currently contracted with Sporting till the summer of 2028.