Golden Boy (Photo by Miguel A. Lopes / POOL / AFP) (Photo by MIGUEL A. LOPES/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Here are the top six contenders that can win the Golden Boy Award
The 40-player shortlist for the Golden Boy Award for 2020 has been announced, and once again there’s a whole host of young guns in the reckoning. The highly coveted accolade is given by the Italian publication Tuttosport every year for the best player under the age of 21, plying his trade in one of Europe’s premier leagues.
Lionel Messi (2005), Wayne Rooney (2004), Sergio Aguero (2007), and even Rafael van der Vaart, who won the first-ever edition in 2003, are some of the illustrious winners in the past. Whereas the latest claimant to the title is Joao Felix, who won the award in 2019 for his stellar breakout year with Benfica.
Who’ll succeed the Portuguese starlet and claim the award this year? Here are the top six favorites:
Honorable Mentions: Phil Foden (Manchester City), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Sandro Tonali (AC Milan), and Rodrygo Goes (Real Madrid).
To make a strong case for yourself despite playing alongside the likes of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Antoine Griezmann, etc. is no mean feat. But Fati did exactly that and caught everyone’s imagination with a phenomenal debut campaign for the Azulgranas.
Only 16 when he made his senior debut, the Spaniard became Barcelona’s youngest-ever scorer after his strike against Osasuna last August. He did this before also becoming the youngest-ever scorer in Champions League history by netting against Inter Milan in December.
Fati’s confidence on the ball and accurate finishing thoroughly belie his age, while his tally of seven league goals in a debut season even trumps that of Messi! He received his first call-ups with Spain during the recent international break and even scored on his debut. Easily making him the youngest scorer in the national team’s history at 17 years and 357 days.
It’s been a whirlwind start to his senior career with both club and country and on this evidence, can reach lofty heights in the future. Winning the Golden Boy award will only serve to cement the theory further.
The Red Devils had another mixed bag of a campaign last time but nevertheless managed to finish third in the league. One of the important factors behind it was Mason Greenwood.
With 17 goals in all competitions in his first full year with the senior side, the teenager left a lasting impression. His sense of positioning, set-piece ability, and finishing skills have even drawn him comparisons to club great Robin van Persie.
Greenwood, an academy graduate, has managed such impressive numbers despite operating from multiple positions. This was following a slow start, thrived alongside the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford, and Anthony Martial.
His performances didn’t go unnoticed by Gareth Southgate, who handed the 18-year old his first senior cap with England in the recent UEFA Nations League fixture against Iceland. He aims to make a mark with the national side too.
@LaLigaEN season for <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/09/18/top-six-contenders-golden-boy-award/"https://twitter.com/ANSUFATI?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>@ANSUFATI </p>
<p>Goals: 7<br>Assists: 1<br>Hugs with Leo <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/09/18/top-six-contenders-golden-boy-award/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/Messi?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#Messi</a>: priceless</p>
<p>— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/09/18/top-six-contenders-golden-boy-award/"https://twitter.com/FCBarcelona/status/1286238994242707456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>July 23, 2020</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>Fati’s confidence on the ball and accurate finishing thoroughly belie his age, while his tally of seven league goals in a debut season even trumps that of Messi! He received his first call-ups with Spain during the recent international break and even scored on his debut. Easily making him the youngest scorer in the national team’s history at 17 years and 357 days.</p>
<p>It’s been a whirlwind start to his senior career with both club and country and on this evidence, can reach lofty heights in the future. Winning the Golden Boy award will only serve to cement the theory further.</p>
<h2>#5 <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/09/18/top-six-contenders-golden-boy-award/"https://fbref.com/en/players/58eee997/Mason-Greenwood?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Mason Greenwood</a> (Manchester United)</h2>
<p>The Red Devils had another mixed bag of a campaign last time but nevertheless managed to finish third in the league. One of the important factors behind it was Mason Greenwood.</p>
<p>With 17 goals in all competitions in his first full year with the senior side, the teenager left a lasting impression. His sense of positioning, set-piece ability, and finishing skills have even drawn him comparisons to club great Robin van Persie.</p>
<p>Greenwood, an academy graduate, has managed such impressive numbers despite operating from multiple positions. This was following a slow start, thrived alongside the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford, and Anthony Martial.</p>
<p>His performances didn’t go unnoticed by Gareth Southgate, who handed the 18-year old his first senior cap with England in the recent UEFA Nations League fixture against Iceland. He aims to make a mark with the national side too.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/09/18/top-six-contenders-golden-boy-award/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Dejan Kulusevski and Erling Haaland </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-484637 size-full" src=https://playingfor90.com/2020/09/18/top-six-contenders-golden-boy-award/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1016,w_1600/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1223412143.jpeg" alt="Golden Boy" width="1600" height="1016" srcset="https://playingfor90.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1223412143.jpeg 1600w, https://playingfor90.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1223412143-768x488.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">Dejan Kulusevski (Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>#4 <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/09/18/top-six-contenders-golden-boy-award/"https://fbref.com/en/players/df3cda47/Dejan-Kulusevski?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22>Dejan Kulusevski</a> (Juventus)</h2>
<p>Scoring 10 goals and assisting nine times is impressive for a 20-year old midfielder by all accounts. But more so when you consider he managed these figures despite playing for a side that finished in the bottom half of the table.</p>
<p>Besides, Kulusevski also garnered attention for his creative brilliance, crossing ability, incisive through balls, and incredible versatility. Having already played across numerous positions in the midfield as well as the attack in his relatively short career.</p>
<p>His promising all-round showings earned him Serie A’s best young player award for the 2019/20 season, but more importantly, a big-money move to Juventus. Hopefully, where the Swede will be hoping to continue his development into a world-class talent.</p>
<h2>#3 Erling Haaland (Borussia Dortmund)</h2>
<p>The breakout star of last season, Haaland made waves after his blistering exploits with RB Salzburg in the Champions League. Netting eight times in the group stages, including an opening game hat-trick against Genk.</p>
<p>The young Norwegian assassin, who also proved to be a thorn in the flesh of Liverpool and Napoli, was soon pillaged by Dortmund in the winter transfer window. He continued in the same vein, netting 16 times from only 18 games.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Erling Haaland in half a season at Dortmund:</p>
<p>18 games <br>16 goals</p>
<p>How many will he get this season? 😳 <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/09/18/top-six-contenders-golden-boy-award/"https://t.co/ClyxKw04Od">pic.twitter.com/ClyxKw04Od
<p>— GOAL (@goal) <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/09/18/top-six-contenders-golden-boy-award/"https://twitter.com/goal/status/1301116222050795520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>September 2, 2020</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>A ruthless finisher blessed with tremendous pace and vision, Haaland’s runs in behind defenders almost always sees him in ideal positions to score. His predatory instincts let him pounce on even the slightest opening in the opposition defense.</p>
<p>The 20-year old is already heralded as one of the best young players in the world. His prolific scoring ability will be instrumental to Dortmund’s title hopes in the upcoming season.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/09/18/top-six-contenders-golden-boy-award/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Alphonso Davies and Jadon Sancho </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-482463 size-full" src=https://playingfor90.com/2020/09/18/top-six-contenders-golden-boy-award/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1334,w_1600/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2020%2F06%2F1181095708.jpeg" alt="Golden Boy" width="1600" height="1334" srcset="https://playingfor90.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2020/06/1181095708.jpeg 1600w, https://playingfor90.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2020/06/1181095708-768x640.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies and Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho, Bundesliga (Photo by CHRISTOF STACHE/AFP via Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>#2 <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/09/18/top-six-contenders-golden-boy-award/"https://fbref.com/en/players/d781d855/Alphonso-Davies?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22>Alphonso Davies</a> (Bayern Munich)</h2>
<p>Bayern Munich’s treble-winning campaign of 2019/20 witnessed several young guns rise to the fore, but none caught the eye more than Alphonso Davies. The Canadian speedster turned heads with his electrifying runs and energetic dribbles.</p>
<p>After starting out as a winger, he transitioned smoothly into an effective full-back. He was easily bombing up and down the left flank to connect with the attackers as well as contribute defensively.</p>
<p>His highlight reel for the season would primarily consist of performances in the Champions League, where Davies impressed the most. His assist for Joshua Kimmich against Barcelona particularly stands out for his outrageous footwork in the build-up.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">36.51 – Alphonso Davies' top speed of 36.51 km/h in Bremen is the fastest of any <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/09/18/top-six-contenders-golden-boy-award/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bundesliga?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#Bundesliga</a> player since data collection started in 2013-14. Lightning. <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/09/18/top-six-contenders-golden-boy-award/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/SVWFCB?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#SVWFCB</a> <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/09/18/top-six-contenders-golden-boy-award/"https://t.co/FBGDrDXEOX">pic.twitter.com/FBGDrDXEOX
<p>— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/09/18/top-six-contenders-golden-boy-award/"https://twitter.com/OptaFranz/status/1272971282963980289?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>June 16, 2020</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>At only 19, he might as well be the best player his country has ever seen. His continued development in the coming years would also make him crucial to Canada’s World Cup run when it co-hosts the tournament in 2026.</p>
<h2>#1 <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/09/18/top-six-contenders-golden-boy-award/"https://fbref.com/en/players/dbf053da/Jadon-Sancho?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22>Jadon Sancho</a> (Borussia Dortmund)</h2>
<p>Jadon Sancho has developed by leaps and bounds since leaving Manchester City in 2017 for the Bundesliga. He’s become highly sought-after following his performances with Borussia Dortmund.</p>
<p>After a phenomenal breakthrough during the 2018/19 season, Sancho elevated his game further last season, scoring and assisting 17 times each in the top-flight for most goal involvement after only Robert Lewandowski.</p>
<p>An excellent passer with prodigious dribbling skills and set-piece ability, the Londoner has taken up the creative mantle for Die Borussen with aplomb, shining in various positions for the side in the attack and forging a fearsome strike partnership with Erling Haaland.</p>
<p>https://twitter.com/StatmanDave/status/1305584239379976193</p>
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<p>Now a regular with England’s national set-up too under Gareth Southgate, his seamless potential has garnered interests from several leading clubs across Europe, with Manchester United in particular heavily linked with the star, also tipped to win the Ballon d’Or someday.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">