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The Five Man Shortlist For 'The Golden Boy' Award Might Surprise You

The Five Man Shortlist For 'The Golden Boy' Award Might Surprise You

Kylian Mbappe does NOT feature...

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare

The Golden Boy award has seen its fair share of familiar faces. Wayne Rooney, Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero and Renato Sanches, of all people, have all scooped the prestigious prize.

If you didn't already know, the award is given by journalists to a player under the age of 21.

Requirements state that they must play in a European's top tier league.

Former Tottenham and Real Madrid midfielder Rafael Van Der Vaart was the first player to receive the award when it was established in 2003 by Italian newspaper Tuttosport, after his superb campaign with Dutch side Ajax.

This year, the five-man shortlist has been revealed and one huge name misses out.

The world's most expensive teenager, Kylian Mbappe, somehow doesn't make the cut, while Trent Alexander Arnold, Matthijs de Ligt, Vinicius Junior, Patrick Cutrone and Justin Kluivert were all selected.

Mbappe, who was the favourite to scoop the award, lifted the World Cup with France this summer, and shone for Paris Saint-Germain for large spells last season.

But that clearly wasn't enough, to the bemusement of many.


Back in July, the 100-man shortlist for the 2018 Golden Boy award was revealed and it gave us an opportunity to take a look at the biggest talent in world football, including the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Ben Woodburn and Angel Gomes.

In the past, some huge names have picked up the award but who will win it in 2018? Scouted Football created the following table that includes all 100 names shortlisted.

Football Manager fans, take note:

Image: Scouted Football/Twitter
Image: Scouted Football/Twitter

Image: Scouted Football/Twitter
Image: Scouted Football/Twitter

Who will win the upcoming award?

Let us know in the comments.

Featured Image Credit:

Topics: Football News, Mbappe, Football