The 20-Man Golden Boy Shortlist Has Been Revealed

The 20-man shortlist for the 2020 Golden Boy award has been revealed.

The award was created by Italian outlet Tuttosport back in 2003 and is given to the best Under 21 player in Europe playing in one of the leading leagues.

100 of the the most exciting youngsters in the game were in contention when the first list was published back in June and it's now been whittled down further.

Erling Haaland would appear to be one of the main contenders for the award after an incredible 2020.

Image: PA

The Norwegian man mountain, still only 20, has blossomed into one of the deadliest strikers in world football - scoring 21 goals in his first 23 appearances in all competitions for Borussia Dortmund after signing in December.

Haaland's biggest threat to the coveted prize would appear to be 19-year-old Canadian phenomenon Alphonso Davies, who was integral to Bayern Munich's treble-winning campaign last term.

England stars Jadon Sancho, Mason Greenwood, Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka and Callum Hudson-Odoi have all made the final 20, with Barcelona starlet Ansu Fati and Real Madrid wonderkids Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo Goes receiving recognition for their exploits.

Here is the top 20 in full:

Mitchel Bakker (PSG)
Eduardo Camavinga (Rennes)
Jonathan David (Lille)
Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich)
Sergiño Dest (Barcelona)
Fabio Silva (Wolves)
Ansu Fati (Barcelona)
Phil Foden (Manchester City)
Ryan Gravenberch (Ajax)
Mason Greenwood (Manchester United)
Erling Haaland (Borussia Dortmund)
Callum Hudson-Odoi (Chelsea)
Deyan Kulusevski (Juventus)
Rodrygo (Real Madrid)
Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund)
Dominik Szoboszlai (Red Bull Salzburg)
Sandro Tonali (Brescia)
Ferran Torres (Manchester City)
Vinicius (Real Madrid)

Previous winners of the award include Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Cesc Fabregas, Paul Pogba, Raheem Sterling and Kylian Mbappe.

Former Real Madrid and Spurs midfielder Rafael van der Vaart was the inaugural recipient back in 2003, with Atletico Madrid and Portugal star Joao Felix the most recent top talent to secure the honour last year.

Topics: Football News, Football, ​Alphonso Davies, Erling Haaland, Jadon Sancho

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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