In profile: Every U-17 World Cup Golden Ball winner
We profile every winner of the coveted prize – including Fabregas, Kroos, Donovan and Foden – and analyse what happened next in their careers.
Throughout its illustrious 38-year history, the FIFA U-17 World Cup™ has provided a platform for the planet’s most exciting young footballers to showcase their exceptional skills.
Here, we shine the spotlight on every player who has won the coveted adidas Golden Ball Award at the tournament and reveal how their careers developed.
FIFA U-16 World Championship China PR 1985™
Golden Ball winner: William (Brazil)
Champions: Nigeria
Brazil forward William dazzled at the inaugural edition of the tournament, scoring five goals to help his side to a third-place finish.
What happened next?
While he did not gain senior international honours, William enjoyed a successful professional career and turned out for prominent Brazilian club sides such as Vasco da Gama, Flamengo, Atletico Mineiro and Fluminense.
FIFA U-16 World Cup Canada 1987™
Golden Ball winner: Philip Osundu (Nigeria)
Champions: Soviet Union
Osundu’s stunning hat-trick in Nigeria’s 3-2 group-stage win over Bolivia secured his team’s place in the knockout phase. The skilful attacker continued to shine as Super Eagles reached the final, where he scored the opening goal against the Soviet Union.
What happened next?
After moving to Anderlecht when still a teenager, Osundu spent the rest of his professional career in Belgium. He remained in the country after his retirement and sadly passed away aged 48 in 2019.
FIFA U-16 World Championship Scotland 1989™
Golden Ball winner: James Will (Scotland)
Champions: Saudi Arabia
Goalkeeper Will produced a string of immaculate displays as the host nation reached the final. Will conceded just one goal in Scotland’s charge to the championship match, recording four clean sheets in five games.
What happened next?
Will joined Arsenal’s academy but did not make a senior appearance for the Gunners, eventually moving back to Scotland, where he had spells at Dunfermline Athletic and several other sides.
FIFA U-17 World Championship Italy 1991™
Golden Ball winner: Nil Lamptey (Ghana)
Champions: Ghana
The 15-year-old Lamptey inspired Ghana’s charge to the title, scoring four goals, including one in a quarter-final win over Brazil. The midfielder’s eye-catching performances even led Pele to describe him as his “natural successor”.
What happened next?
After impressive spells at Anderlecht and PSV Eindhoven, Lamptey transferred to Premier League side Aston Villa and then Coventry City. He showed glimpses of his class in England and subsequent stints in Italy, Germany and Turkey but did not quite hit the heights once anticipated. Lamptey won 38 senior caps for Ghana.
FIFA U-17 World Championship Japan 1993™
Golden Ball winner: Daniel Addo (Ghana)
Champions: Nigeria
Midfield dynamo Addo was the driving force behind Ghana’s run to the final, where they were edged out by Nigeria in an all-African showdown. Addo scored three goals during the tournament.
What happened next?
Addo spent most of his career in Germany, first moving to Bayer Leverkusen before turning out for Fortuna Dusseldorf and Karlsruher. He progressed to the senior Ghana national team and won 27 caps.
FIFA U-17 World Championship Ecuador 1995™
Golden Ball winner: Mohammed Al-Kathiri (Oman)
Champions: Ghana
Omani playmaker Al-Kathiri was in blistering form at Ecuador 1995, scoring five goals to finish as the tournament’s joint top-scorer. His exceptional performances powered Oman’s surprise run to the semi-finals.
What happened next?
Al-Kathiri remained in his home country after the tournament, despite rumoured offers from overseas clubs. He would go on to represent Omani sides Al-Nasr and Mirbat.
FIFA U-17 World Championship Egypt 1997™
Golden Ball winner: Sergio Santamaria (Spain)
Champions: Brazil
A gifted attacking midfield player, Santamaria’s technique, vision and composure came to the fore at Egypt 1997. He scored two goals during the tournament as Spain recorded a third-place finish.
What happened next?
Santamaria, who came through the ranks at hometown club Malaga before joining Barcelona’s academy, played seven senior games for the Catalan giants. He also had stints with Real Oviedo, Alaves and Albacete. He did not win a full cap for his country but did play for the U-21 side.
FIFA U-17 World Championship New Zealand 1999™
Golden Ball winner: Landon Donovan (USA)
Winners: Brazil
Donovan’s scintillating displays were instrumental in USA recording their best-ever result at the U-17 World Cup. The classy forward scored three goals as the Americans reached the semi-finals, where they were beaten in a penalty shootout by Australia.
What happened next?
Donovan became a USMNT legend. He scored 57 goals in 157 senior appearances for his country and played in three FIFA World Cup™ tournaments. At club level, he spent most of his career at LA Galaxy and is widely regarded as the MLS team’s greatest-ever player. He also had stints in Europe with Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich and Everton.
FIFA U-17 World Championship Trinidad and Tobago 2001™
Golden Ball winner: Florent Sinama Pongolle (FRA)
Champions: France
Sinama Pongolle won a prestigious Golden Ball and Golden Boot double after his sensational nine-goal haul fired France to glory at Trinidad and Tobago 2001. He remains the only player to win both individual awards and the U-17 World Cup title at the same edition.
What happened next?
Sinama Pongolle joined Liverpool after the tournament before enjoying spells with the likes of Atletico Madrid, Sporting Club de Portugal and Recreativo Huelva. He won a maiden senior France cap in 2008 in a 3-1 win over Tunisia.
FIFA U-17 World Championship Finland 2003™
Golden Ball winner: Cesc Fabregas (SPA)
Champions: Brazil
Spain star Fabregas’ technical excellence, speed of thought and competitive spirit were all on show when he lit up Finland 2003. The midfield maestro also chipped in with five goals as his team finished runners-up to Brazil.
What happened next?
Fabregas established himself as one of the finest midfielders of his generation. A serial trophy collector, he lifted the FIFA World Cup in 2010 – assisting Andres Iniesta’s extra-time final winner against the Netherlands – and two UEFA EURO titles. At club level, he shone for Premier League giants Arsenal and Chelsea as well as boyhood team Barcelona.
FIFA U-17 World Championship Peru 2005™
Golden Ball winner: Anderson (BRA)
Champions: Mexico
While Brazil’s hopes of defending their title were dashed by first-time champions Mexico in the final, Seleção ace Anderson remained the name on many observers’ lips. The attacking midfielder produced a series of explosive displays and contributed two goals.
What happened next?
After leaving Gremio in his homeland to join Porto, Anderson signed for Manchester United in 2007. He enjoyed significant success with United, winning four Premier League titles, the Champions League and the FIFA Club World Cup™. He made eight senior Brazil appearances and was part of their triumphant 2007 Copa America squad.
FIFA U-17 World Cup Korea 2007™
Golden Ball winner: Toni Kroos (GER)
Champions: Nigeria
The poise, control and football intelligence displayed by Kroos throughout his stellar career were already evident when he helped Germany to a third-place finish at Korea 2007. His capacity to produce game-changing moments in the final third, meanwhile, was highlighted by his five tournament goals.
What happened next?
Kroos became an integral figure for the Germany national team and was part of the side that won the FIFA World Cup in 2014. At club level, he boasts an incredible haul of honours including five UEFA Champions League triumphs and six FIFA Club World Cup titles.
FIFA U-17 World Cup Nigeria 2009™
Golden Ball winner: Sani Emmanuel (Nigeria)
Champions: Switzerland
Emmanuel finished as the joint top scorer when hosts and defending champions Nigeria reached the U-17 World Cup final in 2009. He hit five goals during the tournament, including a match-winning double in a 3-1 last-four win over Spain.
What happened next?
Injury would unfortunately blight Emmanuel’s career and his story is one of promise unfulfilled. Two years after the U-17 World Cup, he moved to Italian side Lazio. He did not make a senior appearance for the Rome club, however. He spent subsequent spells in Switzerland, Israel and Sweden.
FIFA U-17 World Cup Mexico 2011™
Golden Ball winner: Julio Gomez (Mexico)
Champions: Mexico
Gomez was one of Mexico’s shining lights when they thrilled their passionate support by lifting the title on home soil in 2011. He produced one of the most memorable moments in U-17 World Cup history in their 3-2 semi-final success over Germany, returning to the pitch after injury to secure victory with a stunning last-minute overhead kick.
What happened next?
While he did not win a senior cap, Gomez represented Mexico’s U-20 and U-21 teams. He spent most of his professional career in his homeland and turned out for the likes of Pachuca and Guadalajara.
FIFA U-17 World Cup UAE 2013™
Golden Ball winner: Kelechi Iheanacho (Nigeria)
Champions: Nigeria
Predatory striker Iheanacho kicked off the tournament in blistering style, bagging four goals in a stunning 6-1 success over defending champions Mexico. Remarkably, Nigeria would meet the same opponents in the final, where Iheanacho would strike again in a 3-0 victory.
What happened next?
Iheanacho moved to Manchester City one year after the U-17 World Cup. He became a regular Premier League scorer for the club and subsequently at Leicester City. The attacker is closing on a half-century of senior international caps and represented his country at the FIFA World Cup 2018™.
FIFA U-17 World Cup Chile 2015™
Golden Ball winner: Kelechi Nwakali (Nigeria)
Champions: Nigeria
Nwakali pipped Nigeria team-mate and Golden Boot winner Victor Osihmen to the Golden Ball prize at Chile 2015. An accomplished all-round midfielder, Nwakali scored three times as he captained the Super Eagles to a record fifth U-17 World Cup crown.
What happened next?
Nwakali moved to Arsenal one year after the tournament. After several loan spells, he left the Gunners in 2019 to join Spanish side Huesca and is now playing in the Portuguese top-flight for Chaves. He has won four senior Nigeria caps and featured at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations in 2022.
FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017™
Golden Ball winner: Phil Foden (England)
Champions: England
Foden’s beguiling range of attacking attributes thrilled supporters as England lifted their first U-17 World Cup. He scored three times in the competition, including a brace in an unforgettable 5-2 final win over Spain.
What happened next?
Foden has emerged as a vital member of Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering Manchester City squad and, at the age of 23, has already made for than 200 appearances for club, won five Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League. He was also part of the England side that reached the final of the UEFA EURO in 2021.
FIFA U-17 World Cup Brazil 2019™
Golden Ball winner: Gabriel Veron (Brazil)
Champions: Brazil
Veron’s speed, trickery and balance proved almost impossible for defenders to contain when Brazil triumphed on home soil in 2019. The winger’s three goals at the tournament included the equaliser when Brazil stunned France in the semi-finals, coming from 2-0 down to win 3-2.
What happened next?
Veron played 95 senior matches and scored 14 goals for Palmeiras – helping the Sao Paulo side win two Copa Libertadores titles – before moving to Porto in 2022 at the age of 19. Injuries have hampered his progress so far with the Portuguese club, but the electric forward will be intent on showcasing his undoubted quality on the domestic and European stage in 2023/24.