Top contenders for the 2022 Golden Boy award

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Tuttosport have released their 100-player shortlist for the 2022 Golden Boy award. For those unaware, the Golden Boy is awarded annually to the best under-21 player across Europe’s top tiers.

The award has been won by numerous high-profile names, including Lionel Messi, Wayne Rooney, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland. Last year, Barcelona’s Pedri scooped the prize.

So, who are the top contenders for the 2022 Golden Boy award? Let’s take a look at the top five.

• Pedri – Barcelona

Having claimed the award in 2021, Pedri is among the favourites to triumph once again. The Barcelona midfielder enjoyed a phenomenal breakout year – and he has continued to go from strength to strength.

He may only be 19, but Pedri has already played 72 games for Barca. He also has 12 Spain caps under his belt, showing a maturity far beyond his years. Can he become the first player to win back-to-back Golden Boy awards?

• Jude Bellingham – Borussia Dortmund

It is easy to forget that Jude Bellingham is still just 18. After all, the Englishman left Birmingham City to join Borussia Dortmund in 2020 and is now viewed as one of the best young midfielders in Europe.

Bellingham made 43 appearances for Dortmund last season, racking up six goals and 14 assists in the process. Having featured in all but three of BVB’s Bundesliga games in 2021-22, he is clear a special talent.

• Eduardo Camavinga – Real Madrid

Real Madrid don’t spend €31 million on any old player. So, when the Spanish champions splashed the cash on Eduardo Camavinga last year, you knew he was going to be a top talent.

The 19-year-old racked up 88 appearances for French side Rennes before moving to the Bernabeu. He is already closing in on a half-century of appearances for Los Blancos, so he is destined to go far.

• Jamal Musiala – Bayern Munich

We all know that Bayern Munich have their fair share of talented midfielders. From Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka to Marcel Sabitzer and Thomas Muller, the Bavarians are spoilt for choice in that particular area.

Still, Jamal Musiala managed to chalk up 40 appearances across all competitions last term – bagging eight goals and six assists along the way. Naturally, that makes the 19-year-old a prim Golden Boy contender.

• Gavi – Barcelona

Last year, Pedri became the second Barcelona to win the Golden Boy award after Lionel Messi in 2005. Could Gavi follow in their footsteps to add his name to the illustrious list?

Believe it or not, the supremely gifted midfielder is still only 17. But with 46 Barca appearances and ten senior Spain caps to his name, there is no denying that Gavi is a star of the future.