Myles Lewis‑Skelly, the 20‑year‑old midfielder who currently stars for Arsenal and has already earned caps for England, has been named among the 25 candidates for this year’s Golden Boy award. The accolade, which is administered by the Italian sports newspaper Tuttosport, recognises the most outstanding male footballer under the age of 21 across all of Europe. Lewis‑Skelly’s inclusion highlights the growing influence of Premier League talent in the competition, as eight of the shortlisted players now ply their trade in England’s top flight.
The Golden Boy shortlist features a strong representation from the Premier League, with half of the English contingent coming from two clubs in particular. Bournemouth and Brighton each have two youngsters in the running, accounting for four of the eight English nominees. For Bournemouth, the hopefuls are Eli Junior Kroupi and Rayan, while Brighton’s representatives are Luka Vuskovic and Charalampos Kostoulas.
Chelsea also contributes two names – Estevao Willian and Jorrel Hato – and Manchester City’s recent summer acquisition Ayyoub Bouaddi rounds out the English presence on the list. Beyond the English clubs, the shortlist showcases a broad geographic spread, underscoring the depth of young talent across Europe’s elite leagues.
Barcelona leads the pack with three players: Pau Cubarsí, who was honoured as the best young player at the most recent World Cup, along with Marc Bernal and Xavi Espart. This makes Barcelona the club with the highest number of nominees. Real Madrid follows with two candidates, Yan Diomande and Endrick, while Paris Saint‑Germain’s Warren Zaire‑Emery and Bayern Munich’s Lennart Karl also secure spots on the list. A notable omission from this year’s roster is Lamine Yamal, the Spanish prodigy widely tipped to win the Ballon d’Or.
Yamal is ineligible for the Golden Boy award because he has already claimed the prize in a previous season, rendering him unable to compete again under the competition’s rules. The full roster of nominees, along with their respective clubs, is as follows: - Kerim Alajbegović (Juventus) - Marc Bernal (Barcelona) - Ayyoub Bouaddi (Manchester City) - Pau Cubarsí (Barcelona) - Yan Diomande (Real Madrid) - Endrick (Real Madrid) - Xavi Espart (Barcelona) - Victor Froholdt (Porto) - Joane Gadou (Borussia Dortmund) - Jorrel Hato (Chelsea) - Finn Jeltsch (Stuttgart) - Lennart Karl (Bayern Munich) - Konstantinos Karetsas (Borussia Dortmund) - Charalampos Kostoulas (Brighton) - Eli Junior Kroupi (Bournemouth) - Myles Lewis‑Skelly (Arsenal) - Jon Martin (Real Sociedad) - Franco Mastantuono (Fiorentina, on loan from Real Madrid) - Gianluca Prestianni (Benfica) - Luka Vuskovic (Brighton) The award’s history includes a distinguished roll of past winners, illustrating the calibre of players who have previously been honoured. In 2003, Dutch midfielder Rafael van der Vaart lifted the trophy, while Italy’s Mario Balotelli claimed it in 2010.
England’s Raheem Sterling was the 2014 recipient, followed by fellow Englishman Anthony Martial in 2015. The Dutch defender Matthijs de Ligt earned the accolade in 2018, and the most recent winner before this year’s shortlist was England’s Jude Bellingham in 2023. The Golden Boy award not only celebrates individual brilliance but also serves as a barometer for future stars who are likely to shape the sport at senior level. Inclusion on the shortlist can significantly raise a player’s profile, attracting attention from top clubs, sponsors, and national team selectors.
For Lewis‑Skelly, being named among the elite under‑21 cohort underscores his rapid development at Arsenal, where he has become a key figure in midfield, contributing both defensively and in attack. His performances for the Gunners have already earned him several caps for England’s senior side, and the Golden Boy nod could further accelerate his ascent. Fans and pundits alike will be watching closely as the shortlist is whittled down to a final winner later in the season. The competition is fierce, with each nominee having demonstrated exceptional skill, maturity, and impact at a young age.
While the ultimate decision rests with a panel of journalists and former players, the very act of being shortlisted is a testament to the player’s talent and potential. In addition to the footballing accolades, the event surrounding the Golden Boy award often includes promotional activities and fan engagements. For instance, the current campaign invites supporters to play a virtual "Super 6" game for a chance to win a £1 million prize, with entry being free of charge.
Such initiatives aim to increase interaction between the sport’s emerging stars and its global audience, further enhancing the profile of the competition. As the season progresses, all eyes will remain on the shortlisted players, including Myles Lewis‑Skelly, to see who can maintain form, avoid injury, and continue to impress on both domestic and international stages. Whether any of them will add their name to the illustrious list of past winners remains to be seen, but the very presence on this elite roster signals a bright future for each of these young athletes.