The objective of the Golden Boy award is to honor the best young talents in football and recognize their potential to become future stars in the sport. The nominees for the award are selected by a panel of journalists from leading European publications and are voted for by the same panel of journalists.
The list of past winners of the Golden Boy award includes some of the biggest names in football today. Lionel Messi, Wayne Rooney, Kylian Mbappe, and Paul Pogba are among the many footballing legends who won the Golden Boy accolade earlier in their careers.
The award has become a reliable indicator of future success in the sport. Most Golden Boy winners have gone on to have successful careers in the world’s top football leagues, with many of them becoming household names. The award provides players with the recognition they need to kick-start their careers and reach their full potential.
The 2020 edition of the award was won by Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland. The Norwegian striker’s performances for his club team and his national side caught the attention of the judges, who were impressed by his goalscoring ability and impact on big games.
Haaland scored a sensational hat-trick on his debut for Borussia Dortmund in 2020 and has continued to excel for the German club. He was a key player for Norway in their UEFA Euro 2020 campaign and has established himself as one of the best young forwards in world football.
The criteria for winning the Golden Boy award is not just based on individual performances but also on team achievements. Teams playing in the Champions League or in domestic leagues have a better chance of producing nominees and potential winners of the award. The quality of individual performances is also crucial in determining the winner of the Golden Boy trophy.
The 2021 edition of the Golden Boy award has already generated a lot of buzz in the footballing world. Some of the standout players who have been nominated include Barcelona’s Pedri, Manchester United’s Mason Greenwood, and Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala.
Pedri was a key player for Barcelona last season as they reached the final of the Copa Del Rey and mounted a comeback to finish third in the league. The Spanish midfielder played a crucial role in his country’s success at the UEFA Euro 2020 competition.
Greenwood had a breakout season for Manchester United in 2020-21, scoring 17 goals in all competitions. The young forward played a crucial role in his team’s run to the UEFA Europa League final.
Musiala emerged as a star for Bayern Munich last season, helping them win the Bundesliga title and reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League. The 18-year-old midfielder also made his debut for the German national team in March 2021.
The winner of the 2021 Golden Boy award will be announced in December, and the anticipation is high as to who will lift the trophy this year.
In conclusion, the Golden Boy award is an accolade that has become highly coveted by young football players across Europe. It recognizes potential and provides a platform for players to showcase their skills on the big stage. As the 2021 edition of the award draws closer, football fans around the world eagerly wait to find out who will be crowned the best under-21 player in Europe.