The European Golden Boy award is a prestigious prize which is gaining reputation over the years. The award, which is handed out by Italian paper Tuttosport, is given to the best U21 player in Europe according to the result of a vote between some of the top sports papers on the continent. And Previous winners include Wayne Rooney, Cesc fabregas, Mario Balotelli and ofcourse Lionel Messi.
This year the three finalists were annouced yesterday – Malaga’s Spanish playmaker Isco, Atletico Madrid’s Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, and AC Milan’s Egyptian-Italian striker Stephan El Shaarawy. Winners of the award will be announced before christmas.
Soccersouls takes a closer look at the players:
Name: Thibaut Courtois
Date of birth: 11 May, 1992
Position: Goalkeeper
Club: Atletico Madrid (on loan from Chelsea)
Born in Bree, Belgium, Courtois joined English side Chelsea in 2011 from Racing Genk and is currently on loan at Atletico Madrid. He made his debut for Atlético in the UEFA Europa League and made his mark against Bilbao in the finals of the competition when his side were 3-0 winners in the night to lift the Europa League.
Courtois has since then received applauds from many including Peter Cech, the man he will replace at Chelsea by the end of this season or next. Cech told that he felt other Premier League goalkeepers “are not many as talented as Thibaut”. Also that Courtois “is one of the best talents in European football.” Čech also told: “on the other hand obviously I would like to play here for as long as I could which means I need to be better than him. Which means Courtois will remain in Atletico for the time being. Only time will tell whether the Belgian International will make it to the Stamford bridge or not.
Courtois has also been brillaint with his International duties, with 7 caps since his debut back in 2011 Courtois is one amongst the brilliant group of youngsters that are grooming to make an impact in the European stage.
Name: Isco
Date of birth: 21 April, 1992
Position: Attacking midfielder
Club: Malaga
Isco belongs to the next set of Spanish youngsters who are ready to join their senior counterparts at major clubs. Born in Benalmádena, Spain Isco began his carreer at Valencia and played for 3 years before moving to Malaga in 2011. Over shawdowed by his fellow Spanish sensatioin Cazorla, Isco has begun to flourish since his departure to Arsenal last summer. He is the winner o of La Liga Breakthrough Player: 2012 and has been impressive playing with Malaga this season. And on 15 May he was picked for the first time to the senior team, for friendlies with Serbia and South Korea.
And with reports claiming that the youngster is a target of English champions Manchester City, Isco has reached a point in his carrer where he needs to decide about his future with a touch of thought about his future. Malaga are likely to hold on to him for the time being, having qualified for the knockout stage in the Champions League, but there’s every chance the situation will change in the summer.
Name: Stephan El Shaarawy
Date of birth: 27 October, 1992
Position: Forward
Club: Milan
Stephan El Shaarawy has been the player of the season so far for the Italian giants AC Milan. Born in Savona, Italy El Shaarawy began his carrer playing at Legino and Genoa before finally moving to Milan in 2011. The forward has been exceptional for Milan since his arrival and has scored 10 goals in 14 appearances in this year’s Serie A.
As expected El Shaarawy is targetted by many top flight European clubs and though the player looks to be dedicated towards his job at Milan, he may be tempted by the big guns of Milan continue to show such poor form.