The Golden Boy award, given to Europe’s most impressive footballer in a calendar year under the age of 21 years, has assumed greater significance recently. It has come to such a state that fans see the inclusion of their club’s young stars in the list as a recognition of their potential. Some absolute stars have won the award in the past including Wayne Rooney and Lionel Messi while there have been misses too. But the majority of the past winners have had successful careers.
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The award was started by Italian newspaper ‘Tuttosport’ in 2003 and is now voted for by journalists from various top European countries.
Manchester United’s teenage starlet Marcus Rashford, Bayern’s Kingsley Coman and Renato Sanches, Tottenham’s Dele Alli are the frontrunners among the 40 nominees for 2016’s Golden Boy award and as such the speculation is rife as to who is going to be Europe’s most precious youngster. Manchester United have had 3 of their players win the award previously – the most for a club so far. As such, let’s take a look how the careers of former winners of the prestigious award shaped up. It is to be noted that no player can win the award twice.
2003 – Rafael van der Vaart (Ajax Amsterdam)
The Dutch midfielder was the first player to win the Golden Boy award in 2003 during his time with Ajax. Though he had a fairly successful career, it can be said that he did not reach the heights his talents deserved to go. He moved to Hamburger SV in Germany in 2005 where he shown with his playmaking skills, attracting interest from various European clubs. Real Madrid poached him in 2008. Though he scored in his club debut, his 2-year spell in Madrid was largely disappointing. Following which, he moved to Tottenham on deadline day in 2010.
His spell at White Hart Lane was impressive but he moved back to Hamburger SV after 2 years. van der Vaart is currently plying his trade at Danish club FC Midtjylland. But the 33-year-old has notched 109 caps for Netherlands and was instrumental in their run to the final of the 2010 World Cup.
2004 – Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
There are no questions regarding the success Wayne Rooney has had in his career after winning the prestigious award. He has been legendary over the years for Manchester United, winning 5 Premier League titles, 1 Champions League, 2 League Cups, 1 FA Cup and 1 Club World Cup among other honours. He has been a talismanic presence in Manchester United’s attack over the years and is 3 goals short of matching Sir Bobby Charlton’s record of 249 goals for United. Being just 31-years-old, he is heavily tipped to break that mark.
Rooney is also England’s all-time leading goalscorers though his impressive success with United has not replicated itself on the international stage owing to a variety of factors including injuries. With 53 goals in 115 international caps, Rooney is England's second most-capped player and the current captain. He is certainly an example to follow for future Golden Boy award winners.
2005 – Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona)
Lionel Messi is an absolute superstar of the game and there is no need for an introduction or a description. Ever since ‘La Pulga’ debuted for Barcelona, he has mesmerised the world with his magical skills, complimented by silky playmaking skills and extraordinary goalscoring ability. Having won 4 Ballon d’Or’s to go with a glittering trophy cabinet that has 8 La Liga titles, 4 Champions League among other ‘trivial’ honours, it is no surprise why Messi is considered one of the greatest footballers to have graced the game.
Messi has broken almost all goalscoring records in his sights and is one of the most decorated footballers ever, all at a ‘young’ age of 29. He is still the star-man in Barcelona’s attack as he aims for further silverware. A ‘Golden Boy’ indeed.
2006 – Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal)
Cesc Fabregas, who moved to Arsenal from Barcelona when he was 16 in 2003, is another superstar to have won the award during his early days. Fabregas was tipped for greatness ever since he broke into Arsenal’s first-team and was soon named the club captain at 21 years of age. His playmaking skills were starting to attract the big clubs and he moved to his former club Barcelona in 2011.
He couldn’t become a guaranteed starter though, thanks to the riches Barcelona had in midfield and soon signed for Chelsea in 2014. He played a significant role in the Blues’ title-winning campaign of 2014-15 and is still one of their key midfielders. On the International front, Fabregas was part of the Spain team that won the World Cup in 2010 and the Euro in 2008 and 2012.
2007 – Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid)
Sergio Aguero was the winner of the Golden Boy award in 2007, in his spell with Atletico Madrid. The Argentine’s reputation as a striker has only grown ever since with many considering him to be among the finest marksmen in the world currently. After a 5-year spell at Madrid, Aguero moved to Manchester City in 2011 and has since grown into a fearsome predator. With about 147 goals in 214 appearances for City, he has an astonishing record as a goalscorer.
He is the highest South American scorer in the history of the Premier League, and reached 100 goals in the division faster than any player other than Alan Shearer. The future winners of the award have a role model to follow in Aguero.
2008 – Anderson (Manchester United)
Anderson, who was bought by Manchester United in 2007 from FC Porto, was probably the first player to have an underwhelming career after winning the Golden boy award. The Brazilian was highly rated as a youngster and even played a part in United’s 2008 Champions League final win against Chelsea. But he never could cement himself at Old Trafford through a combination of injuries and concerns about his waistline.
He was sent on loan to Fiorentina at one point and then ultimately shipped off to Brazilian side Internacional. Even then, he was part of 4 Premier League-winning Manchester United sides.
2009 - Alexandre Pato (AC Milan)
The Brazilian Pato took the Serie A by storm during his initial years at AC Milan and was considered by many as the most promising forward in the world. He was an absolute star in Milan;s lineup and has scored 57 goals in 117 appearances. Sadly, his career did not pan out as planned and he was shipped back to Brazil in 2013. After spells with Corinthians and Sao Paulo, Pato made a return to Europe when Chelsea signed him as a cover for Diego Costa last season.
He failed to sparkle but managed to land a transfer to La Liga side Villarreal. On the international front, Pato was part of the Brazil squad which won the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup but it is safe to say he has not fulfilled the promise he showed during his early years at Milan.
2010 – Mario Balotelli (Manchester City)
Mario Balotelli is another player who has flattered to deceive and has seen his career go down the spiral after winning the award. Balotelli won it during his time at City, where he moved to from Inter Milan. He failed to hold down a first-team spot and had training ground bust-ups in addition to controversial moments which saw him shipped off to Milan in 2013. But after just 1 season there, Liverpool acquired his services. But it turned out to be a bad time for Super Mario who found the net just 4 times.
After most clubs decided against taking a risk on Balotelli, French club OGC Nice signed him this season. Balotelli’s best moment in an Italy shirt came in the Euro 2012 semifinal where he bagged a brace against Germany but has since been dropped from the team.
2011 – Mario Gotze (Borussia Dortmund)
Mario Gotze, who was dubbed the ‘German Messi’ during his initial spell at Westfalenstadion, was yet another precocious talent to be recognised as a Golden Boy. After seemingly set to conquer the world with Dortmund, Gotze made a controversial switch to arch-rivals Bayern Munich in 2013 which turned out to be a bad move in hindsight. Gotze struggled to nail down a starting spot under Pep Guardiola and was reduced to substitute appearances.
Though he scored the winner in the 2014 World Cup final against Argentina, his fortunes did not improve in Munich. Ultimately, the German moved back to Borussia Dortmund this summer. Heis still only 24 years old and has plenty of time to fulfill his potential in familiar surroundings.
2012 – Isco (Malaga FC)
Isco started his career at Valencia before moving to Malaga in 2011. The Spanish midfielder's performances for the club earned him the Golden Boy award. Isco started to attract the attention from big European clubs and soon Real Madrid and Manchester City came calling. He chose to move to Real in 2013 but again found his playing time limited by the presence of seasoned internationals that Real Madrid inadvertently possesses.
Though not a guaranteed starter for Real, isco is still very much in the plans of Zinedine Zidane and at 24 years of age has time on his side.
2013 – Paul Pogba (Juventus FC)
Paul Pogba was always destined for greatness during his early years at United. Judging by his career path till now, it seems to be going to plan for the Frenchman. After leaving United in 2012, Pogba made a name for himself at Juventus and soon became one of the star names for them which saw the Golden Boy award head his way.
He became a sure-shot starter for France in midfield and thrived for Juventus alongside Pirlo and Marchisio. So much so that, Manchester United had to pay a whopping world record €105 million to bring him back to Old Trafford.
Still just 23 years old, Paul Pogba surely has lived up to his name as a Golden Boy so far and seems set to be a world beater.
2014 – Raheem Sterling (Liverpool)
Raheem Sterling was seen by many as the most promising attacker to emerge from England since Wayne Rooney. Such were his performances at a tender age for Liverpool. He won the Golden Boy award duly in 2014. The diminutive forward then forced through a big-money move to Manchester City in 2015 but had a forgettable debut campaign. But he has reinvented himself under Pep Guardiola this season and has found his goalscoring form yet again.
Along with Kevin de Bruyne, David Silva, and Sergio Aguero, Sterling is the face of pep Guardiola’s free-flowing Manchester City side this season. The 21-year-old is definitely set for an illustrious career.
2015 – Anthony Martial (Manchester United)
Anthony Marital, who became the world’s most expensive teenager when Manchester United parted with £57.6 million to land him from Monaco, is the Old Trafford-based club’s 3rd representative in this list. Martial scored in his first match for United and was named the Premier League Player of the Month in his first month in English football – a testament to his talents. Unsurprisingly, he won the Golden Boy award last year.
Martial had a stellar debut campaign last year and scored 17 goals in all competitions and was the lone shining light in a largely forgettable season for United under Louis van Gaal. Though few niggles has marred his start to this season, Martial will again be a crucial player for United and has undoubted talent.
