The European Golden Boy award is handed out to the most promising youngster in the world every year, but they don’t always develop as expected. Five years on from the 2017 edition some of the nominees have become world-beaters while others have fallen off the grid completely.
The top 10 Under-21 players are selected in order, and the winner of the award each year goes on to achieve greatness more often than not.
It was an eventful year in 2017, as Real Madrid won yet another Champions League, Antonio Conte’s Chelsea stormed to the Premier League title and Monaco shockingly pipped PSG to the top of Ligue 1.
We’ve taken a look at the top 10 from the 2017 edition of the Golden Boy award and how they’re faring five years on.
10. Rodrigo Bentancur
When Tottenham’s current midfield star was nominated for the award he had only been at Juventus for a few months after joining from Boca Juniors, and the then-teenager earned his place after a very promising start in Turin.
Already a full Uruguay international, Bentancur did not ultimately succeed at Juventus but is currently winning plaudits at Spurs having joined in January 2022 for around £20million.
The 24-year-old has brought steel and quality to the Spurs team which helped them secure a top-four spot ahead of their rivals Arsenal.
9. Federico Chiesa
One of many promising talents to progress through the academy at Fiorentina, the Italy winger was electric when he first came along in 2016 and had already made nearly 50 first-team appearances by the time he was nominated for the award.
A move to Juventus came in 2020, and less than a year later he was named in the Euro 2020 team of the tournament after helping Italy win the trophy.
An ACL injury soon after ruled him out for the 2021-22 campaign, but if the 24-year-old reaches his previous level when he returns, plenty more trophies will follow.
8. Emre Mor
The Turkey international was a talented but controversial attacker at Borussia Dortmund and was sold after a falling out with manager Thomas Tuchel.
Celta Vigo thought they had landed a bargain when they secured his signature for around £11.5million in 2017, but disaster followed.
Mor’s disciplinary problems continued during his time in La Liga, as he was dropped from the squad on multiple occasions.
With just two league goals in 52 games, the club eventually decided that his performances weren’t worth the headache and sent him out on loan three times.
Although still on Celta Vigo’s…
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