Kylian Mbappe has won the European Golden Boy award with Marcus Rashford, Christian Pulisic and Ousmane Dembele among the players to lose out.
The award, handed out annually by Italian newspaper Tuttosport to Europe’s top footballer under the age of 21, is decided by a panel of 30 journalists and relates to performances across the calendar year.
France international Mbappe, 18, helped Monaco to the Ligue 1 title and Champions League semifinals last season before joining Paris Saint-Germain on an initial loan that is set to become a €180 million deal. He became the highest-scoring teenager in the Champions League this week when he netted against Monaco.
Fellow France international Dembele became Barcelona’s record signing in the summer after having built on his early promise with Rennes during his solitary season at Borussia Dortmund. The 20-year-old has yet to make an impact at the Camp Nou, though, after suffering a serious injury during his third appearance for Barca.
The shortlist for the award had featured Rashford, who finished as runner-up last year, as well as Borussia Dortmund winger Pulisic and AC Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
The Golden Boy has been awarded since 2003 and previous winners include Wayne Rooney, Lionel Messi, Cesc Fabregas Sergio Aguero, Isco and Paul Pogba.
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