The Ajax defender claimed the annual award for the best youngster in European football, beating off some stiff competition in the process
Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt was named the winner of Tuttosport’s annual Golden Boy award for the best young player in European football on Monday.
Goal counts down the top 20 players, with the final list throwing up plenty of surprises…
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#20 Jonathan Ikone
Age: 20
Position: Forward
Club: Lille
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#19 Kelvin Amian
Age: 20
Position: Defender
Club: Toulouse
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#18 Odsonne Edouard
Age: 20
Position: Striker
Club: Celtic
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#17 Josip Brekalo
Age: 20
Position: Winger
Club: Wolfsburg
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#16 Tom Davies
Age: 20
Position: Midfielder
Club: Everton
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#15 Eder Militao
Age: 20
Position: Defender
Club: Porto
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#14 Diogo Dalot
Age: 19
Position: Defender
Club: Manchester United
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#13 Kylian Mbappe
Age: 19
Position: Striker
Club: Paris Saint-Germain
Adam Pretty
#12 Amadou Haidara
Age: 20
Position: Midfielder
Club: Red Bull Salzburg
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#11 Dani Olmo
Age: 20
Position: Attacking midfielder
Club: Dinamo Zagreb
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#10 Dayot Upamecano
Age: 20
Position: Defender
Club: RB Leipzig
Julian Finney
#9 Phil Foden
Age: 18
Position: Midfielder
Club: Manchester City
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#8 Achraf Hakimi
Age: 20
Position: Defender
Club: Borussia Dortmund
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#7 Gedson Fernandes
Age: 19
Position: Midfielder
Club: Benfica
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#6 Houssem Aouar
Age: 20
Position: Midfielder
Club: Lyon
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#5 Vinicius Junior
Age: 18
Position: Winger
Club: Real Madrid
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#4 Patrick Cutrone
Age: 20
Position: Striker
Club: AC Milan
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#3 Justin Kluivert
Age: 19
Position: Winger
Club: Roma
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#2 Trent Alexander-Arnold
Age: 20
Position: Defender
Club: Liverpool
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#1 Matthijs de Ligt
Age: 19
Position: Defender
Club: Ajax