MANCHESTER UNITED FORWARD Marcus Rashford and Paris Saint-Germain teenager Kylian Mbappe are among the contenders for the Golden Boy award.
Italian newspaper Tuttosport have released a 25-man shortlist of candidates for the prestigious prize.
The best players on the planet under the age of 21 will battle it out to take the title, with the winner determined by a panel of 30 journalists.
Rashford finished as runner-up to Renato Sanches in 2016, with the now Swansea City loanee taking the prize on the back of his efforts in a successful European Championship campaign.
Lionel Messi, Rafael van der Vaart, Wayne Rooney, Sergio Aguero, Mario Gotze, Alexandre Pato, Anderson, Isco, Paul Pogba, Raheem Sterling, Mario Balotelli and Anthony Martial are all previous winners.
United frontman Rashford is considered to be a serious challenger to the crown once again, but Mbappe is the strong favourite after bursting onto the scene at Monaco and earning a switch to PSG which will eventually cost them €180 million.
One man who has already completed a big-money switch is Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele, although the Frenchman has picked up an untimely knock after moving to Camp Nou for €105m.
Other notable contenders include Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus, who has impressed since arriving in English football in January.
Gianluigi Donnarumma remains a key figure at AC Milan despite being just 18 years of age, while Christian Pulisic, Kasper Dolberg and Borja Mayoral are catching the eye at the highest level with Borussia Dortmund, Ajax and Real Madrid respectively. Among the other
Premier League performers to see their talent recognised are Liverpool new boy Dominic Solanke, his England U19 team-mate Dominic Calvert-Lewin of Everton and Tottenham defender Kyle Walker-Peters.
Here’s the list in full:
- Aarón Martin, Espanyol
- Jean-Kévin Augustin, RB Leipzig
- Rodrigo Bentacur, Juventus
- Steven Bergwijn, PSV Eindhoven
- Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Everton
- Federico Chiesa, Fiorentina
- Ousmane Dembélé, Barcelona
- Amadou Diawara, Napoli
- Kasper Dolberg, Ajax
- Gianluigi Donnarumma, Milan
- Gabriel Jesus, Manchester City
- Joe Gomez, Liverpool
- Benjamin Henrichs, Bayer Leverkusen
- Borja Mayoral, Real Madrid
- Kylian Mbappé, Paris Saint-Germain
- Emre Mor, Celta Vigo
- Reece Oxford, Borussia Mönchengladbach
- Christian Pulisic, Borussia Dortmund
- Marcus Rashford, Manchester United
- Allan Saint-Maximim, Nice
- Dominic Solanke, Liverpool
- Theo Hernandez, Real Madrid
- Youri Tielemans, Monaco
- Enes Ünal, Villarreal
- Kyle Walker-Peters, Tottenham
Subscribe to The42 podcasts here:
Can’t stand that Irelands call. We are a one nation team. Surely a better sing than a Phil coulter ditty would be better. Cmon Ireland
We’re not a “one nation team”.That’s non negotiable.Accept it and show some respect to the Bests and Trimbles in Irish rugby.
One nation two jurisdictions. Irish is Irish whether it’s the North or the Republic
Eh that’s what i meant! republic and northern Irish players playing as one.
Leslie, my comment was directed at Peter Rice. I agee with you of course
sound Peter my reply was not for yourself either, was meant for the other chap too :-)
The whole point of introducing Ireland’s Call – I also hate it btw ;-)…. – was that many of the Northern players don’t see themselves as Irish. Like it or not, that’s the reason….
Mattoid, of course they see themselves as Irish, but not of the Republic. They also believe, as I do, that the Irish Rugby team represents Irish nation as a whole and not just the Republic.
Well they sure as hell aren’t going to see themselves as English, Scottish or Welsh! The point is they don’t feel represented by Amhran na bhFiann, and that applies as much to the fans as the players.
Murray is mad for them box kicks. Can’t really see the point in giving up possession. Am I missing something?
Sooner the better we realise Ireland are not as good as we all think. Their an average team have been for last 3 years
Not too bright are ye Thomas? Average yet they’ve beaten top rugby teams like France, south Africa, Australia and Wales over the same 3 year period. Not bad when rugby is very much a 3rd sport in Ireland – GAA and Soccer being the most played.
Fair play to Trimble with the token try at the end – best looking scoreline in a long while for Ireland!
Token?
Higgins would make a better scrum half than murray !!
Feargal you are a loser.
TP;Toilet Paper…I have to go soon, enjoy :D