The anticipation is building as the football world eagerly awaits the announcement of the 2023 Golden Boy award. This prestigious accolade, established by Italian newspaper Tuttosport, is bestowed upon the best player under the age of 21 in Europe, making it a coveted recognition for young talents. In this article, we’ll dive into the shortlist of 25 exceptional players who have the chance to join the ranks of football legends.
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Jude Bellingham: A Real Madrid Revelation
Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham is a standout nominee for the Golden Boy award. The midfielder, who made an £88.5 million move to the club in the summer, has taken La Liga by storm. With an incredible 10 goals in his first 10 games for the club, Bellingham’s star is on the rise. Not only has he made his mark in Spain, but he’s also become an integral part of the England national team.
Rasmus Højlund: The Danish Dynamo
Manchester United’s Rasmus Højlund, a 20-year-old striker, is another nominee on the Golden Boy shortlist. Højlund joined the Red Devils last summer from Atalanta and has notched three goals in his first eight games. His memorable Champions League debut and a brace against Galatasaray have made him a player to watch.
Jamal Musiala: Bayern’s Young Gun
Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala is a name that fans can’t ignore. As an integral part of Bayern’s Bundesliga-winning side, Musiala contributed with 16 goals and 16 assists in all competitions. His performances have been key to the success of the German giants.
The Contenders: A Stacked Shortlist
The Golden Boy shortlist is filled with talent from across Europe. Players like RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons, Barcelona’s Alejandro Balde, and Chelsea’s Levi Colwill are all vying for the coveted award. Paris Saint-Germain’s Warren Zaire-Emery and RB Leipzig loanee Xavi Simons are also in the running. The shortlist includes bright prospects from various clubs, making it a competition to watch closely.
2023 Golden Boy Award Nominees
| Player | Club |
|---|---|
| Jude Bellingham | Real Madrid |
| Jamal Musiala | Bayern Munich |
| Xavi Simons | RB Leipzig |
| Antonio Silva | Benfica |
| Alejandro Balde | Barcelona |
| Florian Wirtz | Bayer Leverkusen |
| Benjamin Sesko | RB Leipzig |
| Giorgio Scalvini | Atalanta |
| Rasmus Hojlund | Manchester United |
| Levi Colwill | Chelsea |
| Johan Bakayoko | PSV Eindhoven |
| Milos Kerkez | Bournemouth |
| Arthur Vermeeren | Royal Antwerp |
| Evan Ferguson | Brighton & Hove Albion |
| Lucas Gourna-Douath | Red Bull Salzburg |
| Warren Zaire-Emery | PSG |
| Ousmane Diomande | Sporting CP |
| Arnau Martinez | Girona |
| Mathys Tel | Bayern Munich |
| Andy Diouf | Lens |
| Arda Guler | Real Madrid |
| Bilal El Khannouss | Genk |
| Martin Baturina | Dinamo Zagreb |
| Joao Neves | Benfica |
| Lamine Yamal | Barcelona |
Emerging Stars: Ones to Watch
Apart from the frontrunners, the Golden Boy shortlist includes promising talents like Brighton’s Evan Ferguson, Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez, and Royal Antwerp’s Arthur Vermeeren, who has caught the attention of top clubs like Arsenal, Manchester City, and Tottenham Hotspur
Golden Boy Legacy
The Golden Boy award has a rich history of showcasing young talents who went on to become football icons. Past winners include Lionel Messi, Wayne Rooney, Kylian Mbappé, and Erling Haaland. With the likes of Gavi and Pedri in recent years, it’s a testament to the award’s ability to spot future stars.
Golden Boy Former Winners
| Year | Winner | Club |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Rafael van der Vaart | Ajax |
| 2004 | Wayne Rooney | Manchester United |
| 2005 | Lionel Messi | Barcelona |
| 2006 | Cesc Fabregas | Arsenal |
| 2007 | Sergio Aguero | Atletico Madrid |
| 2008 | Anderson | Manchester United |
| 2009 | Alexandre Pato | AC Milan |
| 2010 | Mario Balotelli | Manchester City |
| 2011 | Mario Gotze | Borussia Dortmund |
| 2012 | Isco | Malaga |
| 2013 | Paul Pogba | Juventus |
| 2014 | Raheem Sterling | Liverpool |
| 2015 | Anthony Martial | Manchester United |
| 2016 | Renato Sanches | Bayern Munich |
| 2017 | Kylian Mbappe | PSG |
| 2018 | Matthijs de Ligt | Ajax |
| 2019 | Joao Felix | Atletico Madrid |
| 2020 | Erling Haaland | Borussia Dortmund |
| 2021 | Pedri | Barcelona |
| 2022 | Gavi | Barcelona |
The 2023 Golden Boy award promises to be a thrilling competition, with young talents from across Europe aiming to follow in the footsteps of football legends. As we count down to the award ceremony on December 4 in Turin, all eyes are on these extraordinary players who have the potential to shape the future of football. Who will be the next Golden Boy? Stay tuned for the exciting reveal.
