Mouzakitis helped Olympiacos win the UEFA Youth League title for the first time

Olympiacos and Greece National team midfielder Christos Mouzakitis has officially announced himself as one of Europe’s brightest rising stars after winning the Golden Boy Web 2025 award, securing one of the most significant honors of his young career. The 18-year-old Greek international dominated the global online vote—drawing more than one million fans worldwide—and finished ahead of some of the most highly touted prospects in world football.

Mouzakitis outperformed marquee names such as Arda Güler of Real Madrid, Kenan Yildiz of Juventus, and Jobe Bellingham of Borussia Dortmund. He also led the pack of three Greek players nominated for the 100-player shortlist, a group that included Brighton’s Charalampos Kostoulas and Genk’s Konstantinos Karetsas.

The award, organized by the Italian newspaper Tuttosport, has a growing international profile and was won last year by Yildiz. Although separate from the main Golden Boy award—which is decided by a panel of European journalists—the Web edition has quickly become a major honor, attracting massive global participation in just its first two years. Mouzakitis becomes only the second-ever winner of the fan-voted version.

What makes the achievement even more remarkable is the consistency of his support: Mouzakitis led every round of the five-month voting process.

A Rapid Rise in Piraeus for Mouzakitis

Despite being only 18 years and 10 months old, Mouzakitis has already built a résumé that many seasoned players would envy. He has made 49 senior appearances for Olympiacos, scoring twice and providing six assists. His experience spans both Europa League and Champions League competitions, and he helped secure the domestic double last season.

His talent was also on full display in the UEFA Youth League, where he played a key role in Olympiacos’ historic title run—the club’s first-ever triumph in the competition.

Olympiacos celebrated his new honor with pride across social media, calling him “a child from the heart of Olympiacos now sitting on Europe’s throne.”

The club emphasized that fans voted him Europe’s most talented and popular U21 player competing for a European side—a rare and powerful recognition.

Europe Takes Notice

As his stock continues to surge, Mouzakitis’ value has reportedly surged, making him the most valuable player in the Olympiacos squad and the second-most valuable in the Greek Super League. Naturally, interest from European giants has followed.

Manchester United, Arsenal, and Borussia Dortmund have all been linked with the young midfielder, who has already earned six caps for Greece.

His blend of maturity, versatility, and technical intelligence has made him indispensable for both club and country. With Olympiacos pushing forward on domestic and European fronts, the spotlight on Mouzakitis is only intensifying.

A Night of Recognition Ahead

Mouzakitis will officially receive his award at the Golden Boy ceremony on December 1, 2025, held at the Museo Nazionale dell’Automobile in Turin. It will mark another milestone for a player whose trajectory has rapidly positioned him at the forefront of Europe’s next generation of football talent.

With worldwide support, a growing list of honors, and interest from elite clubs, Christos Mouzakitis now stands as one of the continent’s most exciting young footballers—one whose next steps will be watched closely across Europe.

Let ’em Run Roundup Introduction

Time to have Let ’em Run roll out a new and improved weekly edition of our racing analysis. We will be looking at races with our new format, the Let ’em Run Roundup, where we will breakdown the late races from whichever track we are featuring.This week it’s Aqueduct.

We will also provide some possible bets to look at, and give insight to allow YOU to make your own picks, and use whatever info you see fit. As we move forward, we will be looking to jump on additional races, tracks and other features to come…so stay tuned.

Race 6 — 2:10 EST — 6 Furlongs Dirt Alw 81KN1X

Interesting field of 10 runners, with 2 AE’s ready to join the party if needed. Looking to the #5 Long Legged Queen 4-1, to follow up her last race with another strong effort. She is back in the barn of Joseph Lee and will be running hard in the stretch. The #10 One Last Knock 5-2 may have to overcome a tough post, but has the speed to do just that.
Bet: Daily Double 5,10,12 / 7

Race 7 — 2:39 EST — 1 ⅜ Mile Turf — The Jockey Club Oaks Gr3 350K

Race of the Day, with some very strong runners. Going to lean heavily here on #7 Laurelin 8-5, who has shown a strong affinity for the Aqueduct turf (3 for 3). Took some time off before returning to race in The QEII Cup at Keeneland, and 2nd off the layoff should be ready to pounce. Trainer Graham Motion and Jockey Kendrick Caramouche add to the appeal.
Bet: Exacta 7 over 3,4,5

Race 8 — 3:09 EST — 6 ½ Furlongs Dirt Alw 81KN1X

Nice elongated sprint here, with a field that is not heavy in the speed department. The #3 Roofer 8-1 could get away from the field, and while runner has had trouble finishing the job, jockey Ruben Silvera may get the job done if he can get back to the race 5 back. Could look to see #4 Three B’s 5-1 closing late to pick up some pieces.
Bet: W/P/S on 3 (more so if 10-1 or better)

Race 9 — 3:39 EST — 1 ⅛ Mile Turf — The Knickerbocker Stakes 150K

A classy stakes race on turf, and really like #3 Trikari 4-1 with jockey John Velazquez up. Trainer Graham Motion gave this runner a break after last race on 6/28, and today is 2nd off that layoff. Had been running prior with the likes of Wolfie’s Dynaghost, Fort Washington, Carl Spackler and Brilliant Berti, and now it’s his turn to land in the winner’s circle. Also would take a look at #6 Signator 8-1 who is getting blinkers on. My Let’emRun partner, John Kostin loves it when a horse gets blinkers on after likely having them on for recent workouts, which look strong.
Bet 3,4,6 Ex Box W/P/S on 6

Race 10 — 4:09 EST — 1 1/16 Turf MSW 85K

Tough field of runners looking to break their maiden in this turf route race. The #8 Siouxse 7-2, had her BSF jump up when stretching out for the 1st time in the last race. This time she also gets off the rail for the 1st time, and that will help. Interesting 1st time starter #5 Libero 8-1, could come out running as the daughter of Justify. Trainer Chad Brown can get 2.y.o. runners ready first time out. #12 Isadora Duncan (Ire) 4-1, will have to overcome a tough post.
Bet Exacta 8 over 5,9,12

Does Hunt take an offer from Missouri or an offer from Kansas?

The owner of the National Football League Kansas City Chiefs franchise, Clark Hunt, claimed there is no timeline in making a decision on where the franchise is going to call home in 2032 because time takes time.  “I wouldn’t say we’re in limbo. Stadium projects move at their own pace,” Hunt said. “We’ve learned over the years that you can’t really force them to go faster, even if you want them to. And so it’s just important for us to keep working on both options.” Hunt has a pleasant problem. Does he stay in Jackson County, Missouri or go to nearby Kansas? Kansas politicians are giving Hunt some time to study if it makes sense to take the Kansas subsidy offer to move to the state. Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe signed a bill that would give state money to keep Hunt’s business in his state..

The stadium problem began in April 2024 when Jackson County, Missouri voters said no to extending a sales tax that would have funded a Major League Baseball Kansas City Royals’ downtown stadium and a renovation of Hunt’s Chiefs’ football venue. Kansas lawmakers approved a proposal that would see STAR bonds used to help pay 75% of the cost of building two stadiums in Kansas. Additionally, sports gambling and lottery gaming and sales tax revenue from businesses in the stadium development districts would cover bond debt. Another source of revenue to pay off the debt would come from a liquor tax. Kansas lawmakers could use a mechanism that would allow up to 100% of sales tax revenue on alcoholic liquor sales within a stadium district to pay off bonds for the structures. Missouri politicians will pay up to 50 percent of the construction costs of two venues in an attempt to keep the baseball and football businesses in the state.

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