Golden Boy Award: Joao Felix Named Best Under-21 Player In Europe

Atletico Madrid young star Joao Felix has been announced as the Golden Boy award winner. The prize was awarded by Italian newspaper Tuttosport.

Felix, 20,  scored 18 goals for Benfica last season before a 126 million euros (£113m) move to Atletico in the summer. He has scored two goals in 10 La Liga appearances for Atletico this term.

“I am very proud,” said Felix. “It is the second time that a player from Atletico Madrid has won this award and I am happy.”

Borussia Dortmund and England winger Jadon Sancho, 19, finished second with Bayer Leverkusen and Germany midfielder Kai Havertz, 20, third.

The Golden Boy award was created by Italian newspaper Tuttosport in 2003 to recognise the best young player in Europe. Nominees must be under the age of 21 and play in a European nation’s top tier.

Wayne Rooney (2004) and Raheem Sterling (2014) are previous English winners of the award

There had been a total of seven Spain-based players on the shortlist including Real Madrid’s Brazilian duo Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes, Valencia pair Kang-in Lee and Ferran Torres along with goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, on loan at Real Valladolid from Madrid.