Under-17 World Cup Stars: Tracking the Golden Boot and Golden Ball Winners
The FIFA Under-17 World Cup is a breeding ground for future footballing talent, and the Golden Boot and Golden Ball awards highlight the tournament’s most exceptional players. While some winners, like Phil Foden and Toni Kroos, have gone on to achieve global stardom, the paths of others have been less predictable. Let’s explore the journeys of these award recipients and discover what became of them after their Under-17 World Cup success.
Germany’s recent Under-17 World Cup victory is still fresh, but for many England fans, the 2017 triumph remains a cherished memory. That Young Lions squad, coached by Steve Cooper, boasted remarkable talents such as Foden, Jadon Sancho, and Conor Gallagher – all of whom are now established senior England internationals.
In that memorable 2017 final, England defeated Spain 5-2. Phil Foden’s exceptional performances earned him the Golden Ball, recognizing him as the tournament’s best player, while Rhian Brewster secured the Golden Boot for his impressive eight goals. But the question remains: how have previous Golden Boot and Golden Ball winners fared in their careers?
SPORTbible has compiled a list of notable Golden Boot and Golden Ball winners from the Under-17 World Cups held between 2001 and 2023 to examine their post-tournament trajectories.
Spotlight on U-17 World Cup Award Winners
- 2001: Florent Sinama Pongolle (France) – Golden Ball & Golden Boot
- Then: A highly touted young forward, he joined Liverpool in 2001.
- Now: Despite a Champions League medal with Liverpool, Sinama Pongolle’s career didn’t reach the expected heights. He became a journeyman player, representing numerous clubs across different leagues.
- 2003: Cesc Fabregas (Spain) – Golden Ball & Golden Boot
- Then: A Barcelona youth prodigy who signed for Arsenal in 2003.
- Now: Fabregas enjoyed a stellar career, playing for Arsenal, Barcelona, Chelsea, and Monaco. His trophy cabinet includes Premier League titles, the 2010 World Cup, and two European Championships (2008, 2012) with Spain. He is currently the head coach of Serie B side Como.
- 2005: Anderson (Brazil) – Golden Ball
- Then: A promising midfielder playing for Gremio in Brazil.
- Now: Anderson moved to Europe, joining Porto before Manchester United in 2007. While his time at Old Trafford included four Premier League titles and a Champions League, he arguably didn’t reach his full potential. He retired in 2020 after spells in Brazil and Turkey.
- 2007: Toni Kroos (Germany) – Golden Ball
- Then: A young midfielder at Bayern Munich.
- Now: Kroos is arguably the most successful player on this list. He became a Real Madrid legend, making over 465 appearances and winning numerous Champions League titles. He also won the 2014 World Cup with Germany. Recently retired after Euro 2024, he is considered one of the best midfielders of his generation.
Full List of Under-17 World Cup Golden Ball & Golden Boot Winners (2001-2023)
| Year | Golden Ball Winner | Golden Boot Winner |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Florent Sinama Pongolle | Florent Sinama Pongolle |
| 2003 | Cesc Fabregas | Cesc Fabregas |
| 2005 | Anderson | Carlos Vela |
| 2007 | Toni Kroos | Macauley Chrisantus |
| 2009 | Sani Emmanuel | Borja Baston |
| 2011 | Julio Gomez | Souleymane Coulibaly |
| 2013 | Kelechi Iheanacho | Valmir Berisha |
| 2015 | Kelechi Nwakali | Victor Osimhen |
| 2017 | Phil Foden | Rhian Brewster |
| 2019 | Gabriel Veron | Sontje Hansen |
| 2023 | Paris Brunner | Agustin Ruberto |
The Under-17 World Cup Golden Boot and Golden Ball awards offer a glimpse into the future stars of football. While some winners have cemented their place among the global elite, the diverse career paths of these talented individuals highlight the unpredictable nature of footballing development.
Want to learn more about rising football stars? Explore our other articles on youth international tournaments and discover the next generation of talent!