5 players who could have won the Golden Boy award ahead of Kylian Mbappe

#4 Gianluigi Donnarumma

Donnarumma is arguably Europe's best under-21 keeper

Despite being at a tender age of 18, the AC Milan shot-stopper has already established himself as one of the finest goalkeepers of this generation. Gianluigi Donnarumma is already Milan's undisputed number one and is seen as the heir to Gianluigi Buffon in the Italian national side.

In fact, he is highly regarded by the Juventus goalkeeper, who he looks up to as a mentor and a role model. Donnarumma has hit the spotlight way sooner than Buffon ever did, and now the onus is on him to live up to his credentials and prove why he is one of the best goalkeepers on the block.

While Donnarumma now seems content in Milan, it hasn't always been the case for him. Last season, he came close an exit after he went on record to state that he will not sign a new contract - putting Manchester United, Real Madrid and other top European clubs on red alert. However, he decided to make a u-turn on that decision and penned a four-year extension at San Siro.

The off-field talk did not come in the way of his performances for Milan as he registered the same number of clean sheets last season (12) as compared to Buffon. Donnarumma may have conceded more goals, but made more overall saves and was also more efficient if his saves-per-goal ratio is to be considered.