Myles Lewis‑Skelly, the Arsenal and England midfielder, has secured a place on the 25‑man shortlist for this year’s Golden Boy award. The accolade, which is organized by the Italian sports newspaper Tuttosport, celebrates the most outstanding male footballer under the age of 21 across Europe. At just 20 years old, Lewis‑Skelly joins a group of eight Premier League players who are vying for the trophy, underscoring the growing influence of young English talent in the continent’s top flight.
The Golden Boy shortlist reflects a diverse mix of clubs and nationalities, but the Premier League enjoys a particularly strong representation. Bournemouth and Brighton each have two nominees, together accounting for half of the English contingent. Bournemouth’s hopefuls are forward Eli Junior Kroupi and midfielder Rayan, while Brighton’s representatives are striker Luka Vuskovic and defender Charalampos Kostoulas. Chelsea also contributes two names to the list—defender Jorrel Hato and versatile youngster Estevao Willian—while Manchester City’s recent acquisition Ayyoub Bouaddi rounds out the Premier League presence.
Outside England, the shortlist features a notable concentration of players from Barcelona, who have three candidates in the running: Pau Cubarsí, Marc Bernal and Xavi Espart. Cubarsí, who was honoured as the best young player at the recent World Cup, is widely regarded as one of the strongest prospects for the award. Barcelona’s three nominations give the Catalan side the highest club representation, surpassing even the traditional powerhouses. Real Madrid is not far behind, with two players—Yan Diomande and the prodigious Endrick—making the cut.
Paris Saint‑Germain’s Warren Zaire‑Emery and Bayern Munich’s Lennart Karl also appear on the list, highlighting the pan‑European nature of the competition. Additional nominees include Victor Froholdt (Porto), Joane Gadou (Borussia Dortmund), Finn Jeltsch (Stuttgart), Konstantinos Karetsas (Borussia Dortmund), Jon Martin (Real Sociedad), Franco Mastantuono (Fiorentina, on loan from Real Madrid), Gianluca Prestianni (Benfica) and several others, bringing the total to 25 young talents.
It is worth noting that Lamine Yamal, who entered the season as the overwhelming favourite for the Ballon d’Or, is ineligible for the Golden Boy award because he has already claimed the prize in a previous year. His absence opens the field for other emerging stars to step into the spotlight.
The Golden Boy award has a storied history of recognising future football legends. Past winners include Rafael van der Vaart (2003), Mario Balotelli (2010), Raheem Sterling (2014), Anthony Martial (2015), Matthijs de Ligt (2018) and Jude Bellingham (2023). Each of these players went on to enjoy successful senior careers, and the shortlist this year suggests a similarly bright future for its nominees.
Myles Lewis‑Skelly’s inclusion is particularly significant for Arsenal, as the club seeks to re‑establish itself among Europe’s elite. The midfielder has impressed with his composure on the ball, vision for passing and ability to contribute both defensively and offensively. His performances this season have drawn praise from pundits and fans alike, and a nomination for the Golden Boy award validates his rapid development. Beyond the individual accolades, the Golden Boy shortlist offers a snapshot of the evolving landscape of European football.
The prominence of Premier League players reflects the league’s investment in youth development and its capacity to attract top young talent from abroad. Meanwhile, clubs like Barcelona and Real Madrid continue to nurture home‑grown prospects, ensuring a blend of domestic and international players in the competition. The selection process, overseen by Tuttosport, involves journalists and football experts who evaluate candidates based on their performances over the calendar year. Factors such as impact in domestic leagues, contributions in European competitions, and overall potential are taken into account.
While the final winner will be announced later in the season, the shortlist itself generates considerable buzz and provides a platform for these rising stars to showcase their abilities on a broader stage. Fans are encouraged to follow the progress of the nominees throughout the remainder of the campaign, as each player strives to make a decisive impression.
Whether through decisive goals, creative assists, or standout defensive displays, the young athletes have ample opportunity to tip the scales in their favour. In addition to the footballing excitement, the Golden Boy award also engages the wider public through promotional activities. For instance, Tuttosport has launched a “Super 6” competition, offering participants the chance to win a £1 million prize. Such initiatives aim to increase fan interaction and maintain interest in the award as the season unfolds.
Overall, the 2024 Golden Boy shortlist underscores the depth of talent emerging across Europe’s top leagues. With Myles Lewis‑Skelly representing Arsenal and England, and a host of other promising players from clubs such as Bournemouth, Brighton, Chelsea, Manchester City, Barcelona, Real Madrid, PSG and Bayern Munich, the competition promises to be fiercely contested. As the young footballers continue to develop and make their mark, the award will not only celebrate individual excellence but also highlight the future direction of the sport.