BAYERN MUNICH AND Portugal midfielder Renato Sanches has won the European Golden Boy award for 2016.
Sanches beat runner-up Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford and Bayern team-mate Kingsley Coman, third, to the accolade after the trio emerged from an initial 40-man shortlist to form the final three.
The 19-year-old will collect the trophy at a ceremony in Monte Carlo this evening.
Sanches signed a five-year deal at the Allianz Arena from Benfica in May and went on to win Euro 2016 with Portugal, playing in six of his team’s seven matches.
The annual prize — established by Italian newspaper Tuttosport in 2003 and voted for by a panel of journalists from around the continent — is given to the player under the age of 21 who has impressed the most over the calendar year.
“I’m beaming and I dedicate the Golden Boy to my family,” Sanches told Tuttosport after the announcement.
This award has global significance, but I will remain down to earth. I still have much to learn mainly from my fantastic team-mates like Arturo Vidal, Xabi Alonso, Thiago Alcantara and Joshua Kimmich.”
United forward Anthony Martial won last year’s award, following up successes by Paul Pogba and Raheem Sterling in 2013 and 2014 respectively.
Barcelona star Lionel Messi was the winner back in 2005, one year after Wayne Rooney took the honour. Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo, though, never claimed the prize.
Past winners:
2015 – Anthony Martial (Manchester United)
2014 – Raheem Sterling (Liverpool)
2013 – Paul Pogba (Juventus)
2012 – Isco (Malaga)
2011 – Mario Gotze (Borussia Dortmund)
2010 – Mario Balotelli (Manchester City)
2009 – Alexandre Pato (AC Milan)
2008 – Anderson (Manchester United)
2007 – Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid)
2006 – Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal)
2005 – Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
2004 – Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
2003 – Rafael van der Vaart (Ajax)
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