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Before the best and most elite footballers put their best foot forward for their claim to the Ballon d'Or, the Golden Boy award measures their worth early on. It is in many ways the best possible way to announce oneself on the big stage. Compared to the Ballon d'Or, the Golden Boy award is a more recent phenomenon, with its inception in 2003.
In many cases, the award that recognizes youngsters who deliver stand-out performances has correctly predicted future stars. The likes of Wayne Rooney, Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland have all been bestowed with it. Unfortunately, Lionel Messi is the only Golden Boy winner who has also won the Ballon d'Or so far.
Some really talented lads on the Golden Boy list with a shot at a future Ballon d'Or
Among recent winners, Haaland and Mbappe feel like the two most apt individuals who are building a legacy of their own and will win the Ballon d'Or in future. The 2021 Golden Boy shortlist of 20 nominees is also packed with some supremely talented youngsters.
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It would be unfair to burden them with the expectations to go on and win the Ballon d'Or but surely the quality is right there with the best. On that note, here are five Golden Boy nominees who have a shot at winning the Ballon d'Or in the future:
Honorable Mention: Bayern Munich youngster Jamal Musiala and Pedri of Barcelona also deserves a shout from the Golden boy nominees who can win a Ballon d'Or in the future.
#5 Jurrien Timber
There was a lot of noise and excitement when Matthijs de Ligt burst onto the scene at Ajax. He was supposedly the biggest and baddest defender to emerge after Virgil van Dijk from Dutch territory.
Little did we know that the talent factory at Ajax had an equally exciting proposition waiting for us in Jurrien Timber. The right-footed Ajax wonderkid has everything going for him given what the modern game demands from centre-backs.
His ball control and decision making are refined, he has explosive pace which he often uses to burst forward with the ball from the back. Timber has been quite flexible and versatile, plying his trade as a makeshift right-back equally well.
He lacks a strong and imposing frame, but his dribbling skills see him evade opponents without the need to engage physically. His style of play resembles that of Jules Kounde and we know how well the Frenchman has been developing.
The Ballon d'Or has favored goalscorers over defenders since its inception. Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk was the most recent defender to come close to winning the award as he finished second in the race for the 2019 Ballon d'Or.
But if any other defender can win it in the future, then Jurrien Timber can too. He has become a mainstay in Erik ten Hag's side this season, starting in 11 out 12 games in Eredivisie. The 20-year old has also earned six senior caps for the Netherlands.
#4 Mason Greenwood
With each passing season, Mason Greenwood is coming close to becoming one of the indispensable names in the Manchester United team. The arrival of Jadon Sancho and Cristiano Ronaldo hasn't affected his game time drastically and in fact will only help him flourish more.
He has a chance of ending up in the top three for the Golden Boy 2021 and has shown the flare that makes him a candidate for future Ballon d'Or. The 20-year old is nearing his 120th Manchester United appearance and averages a goal contribution in every third game. He has registered 33 goals and 11 assists so far.
The Ballon d'Or is an award that may not entirely depend on stats but is definitely influenced by them. Greenwood's eye for the goal is exceptional and has allowed him to aim shots at goal from almost all angles. He is a gifted finisher and hardly scruffs the opportunity inside the box.
Of late, the United man has become a complete player and with Ronaldo leading the line centrally, he has done his job to great effect from the right wing. Greenwood has remained in elite company since becoming a senior team regular with the Red Devils.
He equalled George Best and Wayne Rooney's record for the most goals (17) at the age of 18, in a single season for United. As a teenager, only George Best and Norman Whiteside scored more goals than his 32.
Best won the Ballon d'Or once and finished on the podium the other time. If these are some kind of signs, then Greenwood for Ballon d'Or does not feel like a wasteful shout.
#3 Gavi
Xavi and Andreas Iniesta were two of the greatest midfielders of this generation and missed out on the Ballon d'Or quite unfortunately. But surely, at just 17, they did not become the heartthrob of a Spanish midfield, strolling around like it's all fun and games. Sounds like Ballon d'Or material, right?
There are hardly any 17-year-olds in world football who could give Marco Veratti a run for his money in midfield and emerge as the better player on the day. Gavi did that in his very first appearance for Spain, against Italy in the Nations League. He has a fiery side to his game, a hungry and relentless workrate to get on the ball.
Without the tallest or most imposing frame, he is able to stay on his feet under pressure and challenge, and wriggles past opponents with his nimble-feet. He has driven both Barcelona and Spain's transitions from the back with great maturity and his decision making has been immaculate. He could surely have a Luka Modric-like season in the future to claim the Ballon d'Or.
The Spanish midfielder has been a regular for Barcelona this season, having made 14 appearances for the Catalans in all competitions. With Xavi taking charge of the Barcelona hotseat, he can truly transform Gavi and help him fulfill his potential.
Gavi's team-mate Pedri is an equally good contender for the Ballon d'Or, but the former might just edge the latter as time goes on.
#2 Jude Bellingham
It is difficult to imagine Jude Bellingham winning the Ballon d'Or at Borussia Dortmund. But what's not difficult to see is why the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United are lining up offers to price away the 18-year-old from the German club.
Bellingham is undoubtedly the most important member of the Dortmund squad behind Erling Haaland. The midfielder does everything on the pitch, be it holding the ball, driving it into the opposition box, dribbling past opponents, providing a killer pass or pressing high with intensity.
He is one of the favorites to win the Golden Boy award this year, having become the youngest player to feature in the history of the Euros. It takes a long time for players to evolve their game, but the English teenager has already stepped up compared to last season and is even scoring goals.
In 15 appearances in the Bundesliga and Champions League combined, he has scored three goals and provided six assists. He also became the youngest player to score in two consecutive Champions League games, snatching the record from Kylian Mbappe. So if Mbappe can be a future contender for the Ballon d'Or, why should Jude be ignored?
#1 Florian Wirtz
He is just too good for his age, like many on this list, but he seems just that one step ahead than many as well. An attacking midfielder by trait, Florian Wirtz is a clear standout in Bayer Leverkusen's side delivering impactful performances one after the other.
At just 18, Wirtz averages a goal contribution in every second game for Leverkusen. He is one of the favorites to take home the Golden Boy award on personal merit and that could be the basis of him taking home the Ballon d'Or in future as well.
With no clear weakness to exploit, Wirtz is as good with the ball at his feet as he is without it. He utilizes his great reserves of energy for incessant pressing and once he gets the ball, he is dangerous. The German teenager executes passes that he visualizes to great perfection and is able to carve out defenses without breaking a sweat.
Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Manchester City have all been keeping tabs on the young starlet. Understandably, playing for any of those sides in the future escalates his chances of winning the Ballon d'Or. Only five Germans have ever won the Ballon d'Or, and Writz seems like a generational talent who could indeed add to the list.
