Renato Sanches Wins 2016 Golden Boy Award
Renato Sanches[/caption]
Bayern Munich midfielder Renato Sanches has been awarded the European Golden Boy award for 2016.
The 19-year-old Portuguese won the prize ahead of Bayern team-mate Kingsley Coman and Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford, after the trio emerged from an initial 40-man shortlist to form the final three.
The Golden Boy is awarded to a player aged under 21 and playing in one of Europe’s top tiers who is perceived to have been the most impressive during a calendar year.
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Sanches was selected following a vote by journalists from 30 newspapers across Europe to name the best player in 2016 under the age of 21.
The teenage forward will receive the trophy in Monday’s ceremony in Monte Carlo.
Man Utd’s French forward Anthony Martial was given the award last season.
PAST WINNERS
2003 – Rafael van der Vaart (Ajax)
2004 – Wayne Rooney (Man Utd)
2005 – Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
2006 – Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal)
2007 – Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid)
2008 – Anderson (Man Utd)
2000 – Alexandre Pato (AC Milan)
2010 – Mario Balotelli (Man City)
2011 – Mario Gotze (Borussia Dortmund)
2012 – Isco (Malaga)
2013 – Paul Pogba (Juventus)
2014 – Raheem Sterling (Liverpool)
2015 – Anthony Martial (Man Utd)
2016 – Renato Sanches (Bayern Munich)
