Ranking Every Golden Boy Winner

The Golden Boy Award, established by Italian publication Tuttosport, is presented annually to the most promising under-21 footballer. Considered a key indicator of future greatness, the award has been claimed by numerous legends of the game since its inception.

Chosen by a panel of European journalists, the award has been bestowed upon some of football's biggest stars, including Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Erling Haaland. The current holder is England and Real Madrid sensation Jude Bellingham, who claimed the prize in 2023.

What happens after winning the award, however, is unpredictable. While some winners have flourished, others have drastically underperformed, failing to meet expectations. With 21 recipients to date, here's a look at how each has fared since claiming the accolade.

21. Anderson – 2008

Manchester United

Sir Alex Ferguson had a unique ability to elevate the performance of his players, often making average ones look exceptional. Anderson, however, was far from average when he won the Golden Boy award in 2008 after his meteoric rise with Porto and Manchester United. Yet, despite his early promise, his career gradually descended into mediocrity.

Although he collected numerous trophies during his eight-year stint at Old Trafford, Anderson's league appearances dwindled as he became a peripheral figure under Ferguson and later managers. Michael Owen remarked in 2018 that Anderson was "too relaxed" to reach his full potential. After leaving United in 2015, Anderson returned to Brazil for brief spells with Cortiba and Internacional, before finishing his career with Turkish side Adana Demirspor, retiring in 2019.

20. Anthony Martial – 2015

Monaco & Manchester United

When Anthony Martial burst onto the scene with a stunning debut goal for Manchester United against arch-rivals Liverpool, many believed he was destined for greatness. His rapid rise was capped by winning the Golden Boy award, and with a Ballon d'Or clause in the transfer deal from Monaco, expectations were sky-high for the Frenchman.

Though Martial showed early promise at Old Trafford, his career was soon derailed by persistent injuries and inconsistent performances. Over time, his impact waned, and by Erik ten Hag's final season, Martial had been relegated to a peripheral squad role. Those heady days of 2015 now seem a distant memory for the once-bright prospect.

19. Mario Balotelli – 2010

Inter Milan & Manchester City

Mario Balotelli's triumph in the 2010 Golden Boy Award felt like destiny fulfilled. Charismatic and enigmatic, he was arguably the most captivating figure on the list of winners. Balotelli claimed the accolade following Inter Milan's historic European treble, and the football world expected greatness.

However, controversy seemed to follow the Italian everywhere, from parking fines to the infamous shirt-burning incidents. Despite flashes of brilliance throughout his career, Balotelli never fully lived up to the immense potential many saw in him. In the end, fans are left wondering what might have been had his mentality matched his talent.

18. Renato Sanches – 2016

Benfica & Bayern Munich

Renato Sanches came into the spotlight with great expectations, especially after helping Portugal win Euro 2016 before securing the Golden Boy Award that same year. Known for his technical ability and mesmerizing dribbling, Sanches seemed destined for stardom. However, inconsistency and a string of injuries have hindered his career progression.

At just 27 years old, there’s still time for Sanches to fulfill his potential, but he has yet to consistently deliver on the promise he showed as a teenager. Now back on loan at Benfica from Paris Saint-Germain, there is renewed hope that he can rediscover the form that once made him one of football’s hottest prospects.

17. Joao Felix – 2019

Benfica & Atletico Madrid

Bought by Atletico Madrid for a staggering £113m in 2019, Joao Felix has struggled to live up to his hefty price tag since winning the Golden Boy Award. As one of the most expensive teenagers in football history, the pressure has clearly taken its toll, and his time at Atletico Madrid was largely underwhelming. Despite being named the club’s Player of the Season for 2021/22, a reported fallout with manager Diego Simeone led to a loan spell at Chelsea.

Felix's first stint in the Premier League was far from spectacular, marred by a red card on his debut and a modest return of just four goals in 20 appearances. His subsequent loan to Barcelona saw only fleeting moments of success, notably scoring winning goals against his parent club Atletico Madrid, which he celebrated. Eventually, Felix was sold back to Chelsea in a surprising £46m move, marking a frustrating chapter in his career.

16. Alexandre Pato – 2009

AC Milan

Lean, quick, and lethal in front of goal, Alexandre Pato burst onto the scene in Serie A after joining AC Milan for £24m, scoring 51 goals in 117 league appearances for the Rossoneri. He won the Golden Boy Award in 2009, but his standout form in Northern Italy was short-lived. Since 2013, Pato has struggled to settle at any other club or replicate his earlier success.

Following brief stints at Chelsea and Villarreal, he returned to Brazil to sign for São Paulo, with a two-year spell at MLS side Orlando City in between. Despite his career's ups and downs, Pato harbors no regrets. Reflecting on his journey in 2022, he said, "The way I see it, I have a lot of Ballon d'Ors. If life is a game, I have won."

15. Rafael van der Vaart – 2003

Ajax

With a name like Rafael van der Vaart, the Dutchman was always destined to be memorable. As the first-ever recipient of the Golden Boy Award, the 109-cap Netherlands international made his mark after rising through the ranks at Ajax. Over the course of his career, he represented major clubs like Tottenham Hotspur, Real Madrid, and Hamburg, known for his ability to produce stunning goals when it mattered.

Van der Vaart amassed 545 appearances, scoring 174 goals and providing 120 assists before calling time on his career in 2018 after a short stint with Danish club Esbjerg fB. While he may not be the greatest Golden Boy winner, his quality on the pitch made him a standout player in his era.

14. Mario Gotze – 2011

Borussia Dortmund

You'd expect that scoring the winning goal in a World Cup final at just 22 years old would lead to a stellar career. Unfortunately for Mario Götze, who was hailed as a future star in 2012, his journey as a professional footballer has been marked by unrealized potential and a series of injuries since he secured victory for Germany in Brazil.

The period between winning the Golden Boy Award and lifting the World Cup was arguably his most fruitful, as he clinched consecutive Bundesliga titles with Borussia Dortmund and reached the Champions League final as a runner-up. Now 32, Götze continues to play in the German top flight with Eintracht Frankfurt, but his career has not unfolded as many had anticipated after his decisive goal against Argentina in 2014.

13. Isco – 2012

Malaga

Some may view Isco's time at Real Madrid as a disappointment, particularly given the high expectations surrounding him. He won the Golden Boy Award just a year after moving from Málaga and played a crucial role in Spain's U21 European Championship victory in 2013. While it's true he didn’t reach the lofty heights many anticipated at Madrid—ultimately becoming more of a squad player in his later years and contributing 53 goals and 57 assists during his nine-season tenure—he was part of all five of his Champions League-winning squads.

After a challenging spell at Sevilla, where he alleged that a director assaulted him, Isco has found his rhythm again at Real Betis. Since joining the club on a free transfer in the summer of 2023, he has earned nine Man of the Match awards in his first 13 La Liga appearances. However, a broken fibula at the end of the season prevented him from joining the Spain squad that went on to win Euro 2024.

12. Matthijs de Ligt – 2018

Ajax

The Ajax team of 2018/19 captured the football world’s attention with their youthful exuberance and fearless style. Under Erik ten Hag, they played with a refreshing freedom rarely seen in modern football, and Matthijs de Ligt was a key figure in that dynamic squad, appearing in 55 matches for the Amsterdam club despite his young age.

However, his move to Juventus turned out to be underwhelming, as the Dutch defender struggled to replicate the commanding performances he had showcased at Ajax. His subsequent two years at Bayern Munich were similarly challenging, and fans of the Bavarian club were left disappointed when he joined Manchester United in the summer of 2024.

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11. Gavi – 2022

Barcelona

Gavi's statistics are remarkable for a 19-year-old. He made his debut for Xavi’s Barcelona at just 16 and has since accumulated 111 senior appearances in just three seasons at Camp Nou, scoring seven goals and providing 14 assists. With 26 international caps under his belt, Gavi demonstrates a robust and assertive playing style, complemented by his impressive footwork.

After winning his first La Liga title at the end of the 2022/23 season, it’s exciting to consider how much further he can develop. While he may currently be mid-table in terms of recognition, expect him to rise significantly in the coming years, especially if he can bounce back from his ACL injury.

10. Paul Pogba – 2013

Juventus

Paul Pogba showcased his talent and solidified his status as one of the world’s elite central midfielders during his first stint at Juventus, where he scored sensational goals and dominated the midfield. However, a combination of indiscipline, injuries, and playing in underperforming teams has meant that the France World Cup winner's career hasn’t unfolded as he envisioned following his Golden Boy win in 2013.

Often cited as one of the worst Manchester United transfers of the Glazer era, Pogba faced a significant setback when he was hit with a four-year ban for doping violations after rejoining Juventus in 2022. While he maintains that he hasn’t retired and is actively fighting the allegations, a return to his peak form would require nothing short of a miracle.

9. Pedri – 2021

Barcelona

Pedri was awarded the Golden Boy in 2021 after making his breakthrough into the Barcelona first team in 2020, and he hasn’t looked back since. The Spanish central midfielder possesses a blend of attributes reminiscent of both Xavi and Iniesta, with Xavi even drawing comparisons to the latter during their time together at Barcelona—quite impressive for a 21-year-old.

Having secured his first La Liga title in 2023, Pedri, like his teammate Gavi, has ample time to climb the rankings, though there's also the potential for a decline. A mid-table position seems fair for now, but given his achievements to date, it would be surprising to see him fall any lower.

8. Raheem Sterling – 2014

Liverpool

The Jamaica-born, England-raised winger still has many years ahead of him at just 29 years old. A long-serving member of the Premier League's 100-goal club and a four-time top-flight champion with Manchester City, Raheem Sterling truly elevated his game after winning the Golden Boy award in 2014.

While his time at Chelsea wasn't the most fruitful—though few thrived during the chaotic Todd Boehly era—it remains to be seen how he will perform at Arsenal. Nevertheless, Sterling is undoubtedly one of the finest wingers the Premier League has seen in recent memory.

7. Jude Bellingham – 2023

Borussia Dortmund & Real Madrid

If we’re placing Barcelona’s two recent Golden Boy winners mid-table, it only makes sense to do the same for Jude Bellingham. The English midfielder had a sensational debut season with Real Madrid after transferring from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2023, racking up an impressive 23 goals and 13 assists in just 12 appearances—an astonishing feat for any player, especially a midfielder!

Current manager Carlo Ancelotti has described him as a player who performs like he’s 30 years old, underscoring the immense potential he possesses. With numerous trophies and individual accolades within reach for the 21-year-old from Birmingham, Bellingham's 2023 Golden Boy trophy was well-deserved, and the Ballon d'Or could very well be next on his list.

6. Sergio Aguero – 2007

Atletico Madrid

“Agueroooooooooo!!” became an iconic phrase in the narrative of the Argentine striker, thanks to Martin Tyler’s unforgettable commentary during that historic moment when Aguero scored the dramatic goal that secured Manchester City’s first Premier League title in 2012.

Following the sheer euphoria of that fateful goal, Sergio Aguero’s career soared to new heights, culminating in an impressive tally of 385 goals in 685 appearances. Coupled with his remarkable trophy collection and record for the most Premier League hat-tricks, it’s no surprise that he was awarded the Golden Boy accolade in 2007.

5. Cesc Fabregas – 2006

Arsenal

One word to describe Cesc Fabregas is “deft.” His deftness in touch, passing, and overall play made him one of the most elegant footballers of modern times, effortlessly unlocking defenses with seemingly simple yet difficult passes.

As a top-tier playmaker, the midfielder who represented Arsenal, Barcelona, Chelsea, Monaco, and Spain orchestrated the game wherever he played. He concluded his career in July this year, boasting an impressive 217 assists and becoming one of only nine players to achieve four assists in a single match. Fabregas’s exceptional technical ability and exquisite range of passing were remarkable, and under Arsène Wenger, who emphasized playing the right way, his talents truly flourished.

4. Erling Haaland – 2020

Bourssia Dortmund

This Nordic nightmare is a daunting presence for opposing defenders. Erling Braut Haaland had an extraordinary debut season with Manchester City, netting 52 goals across all competitions and breaking the Premier League record for the most goals scored in a single season, previously held by Alan Shearer and Andy Cole.

Now a treble winner at just 23, this player who seems to defy the laws of physics is expected to improve even further—a truly terrifying prospect for rivals. Haaland reached the milestone of 200 top-level goals in just 227 appearances. Since claiming the Golden Boy award at Borussia Dortmund in 2020, he has certainly continued to elevate his game. Would you agree?

3. Kylian Mbappe – 2017

Monaco & Paris Saint-Germain

At just 18 years old, Kylian Mbappé didn’t merely make an entrance; he burst onto the scene, becoming the most expensive teenager in history. Within a year of receiving the prestigious Golden Boy award, he became a World Champion, making history as the youngest player to score in a World Cup final since Pelé.

Now at 25, Mbappé has already claimed the title of French Footballer of the Year three times, along with six Ligue 1 titles and three French Cups. Although the Champions League remains out of reach, he still has plenty of time to chase that elusive trophy and potentially take the mantle of the best player in the world from Lionel Messi in 2024.

2. Wayne Rooney – 2004

Everton & Manchester United

Pictures of a baby-faced Wayne Rooney proudly posing next to his blue Ford Ka at Goodison Park frequently resurface on social media, serving as a nostalgic reminder of his early days. It’s remarkable to think that even then, he was attracting interest from some of the world’s biggest clubs, including Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United, and that he had already won the Golden Boy award.

Not just a talented youngster who peaked too early, Rooney became the standout talent of his generation in England, amassing 16 major honors during his 13 years at Manchester United. Surpassing Sir Bobby Charlton to become United's all-time top scorer is no small achievement, as the enigmatic forward found the net 253 times for the Red Devils. He is, without a doubt, an icon for both United and England.

1. Lionel Messi – 2005

Barcelona

How could it be anyone else? Barcelona recognized Lionel Messi's potential the moment they invested in the young player's growth hormones. Nurtured at La Masia from the early 2000s, the Argentine prodigy evolved into the undisputed best player in world football, winning every accolade available to him, including the 2005 Golden Boy award.

Now an eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, Messi has amassed an astounding 45 trophies throughout his career, capped off by the ultimate prize: the 2022 FIFA World Cup. With over 800 career goals in more than 1,000 matches for both club and country, the conversation isn’t just about whether he's the best Golden Boy winner, but whether he’s the greatest footballer of all time. And that speaks volumes.