Golden Boy 2025 shortlist announced with nine Premier League players

The 25-player shortlist for the 2025 Golden Boy award was unveiled Wednesday, featuring a mix of rising stars from across Europe and nine players currently with Premier League clubs. The award, given annually to the most impressive footballer aged 21 or under playing in Europe, will see its next winner confirmed in December after voting by a panel of European journalists.

The shortlist is built from two elements: 20 players qualified through a Football Benchmark index and five editorial wildcards chosen to complete the 25 names. The wildcard inclusions this year are Jobe Bellingham of Borussia Dortmund, Francesco Pio Esposito of Inter, Giovanni Leoni of Liverpool, Rodrigo Mora of Porto and Aleksandar Stankovic of Club Brugge. Eligibility requires players to have been born on or after January 1, 2005, and be registered with a club in one of UEFA’s top 25 leagues.

Among the nominees are established youth internationals and players whose club seasons raised their profiles. Paris Saint-Germain forward Desire Doue, who played a key role in PSG’s Champions League success, and his teammates Warren Zaire-Emery and Senny Mayulu are all listed. Real Madrid provide three nominees in Arda...