Matteo Gunedouzi is up for an award with multiple world-class winners
Matteo Guendouzi is one of 20 U21 players nominated for the Golden Boy Award and he is in illustrious company.
Any award that has Lionel Messi as a previous winner is certainly one that most players would like to add to their collection.
The award, which was established in 2003 by Tuttosport, includes journalists from Bild (Germany), Blick (Switzerland), A Bola (Portugal), l’Équipe (France), France Football (France), Marca (Spain), Mundo Deportivo (Spain), Ta Nea (Greece), Sport Express (Russia), De Telegraaf (Netherlands), and The Times (United Kingdom).
The award is given by sports journalists to players under the age of 21 that have impressed in a calendar year from one of the top leagues in Europe.
Previous winners
2003 Rafael van der Vaart
2004 Wayne Rooney
2005 Lionel Messi
2006 Cesc Fàbregas
2007 Sergio Agüero
2008 Anderson
2009 Alexandre Pato
2010 Mario Balotelli
2011 Mario Götze
2012 Isco
2013 Paul Pogba
2014 Raheem Sterling
2015 Anthony Martial
2016 Renato Sanches
2017 Kylian Mbappé
2018 Matthijs de Ligt
That list is full of world-class players, however, it has to be admitted there are a couple of donkeys in there.
That said, a list that includes Messi, Pato, Sterling, Rooney, Aguero and Mbape is definitely a prestigious award. Gunedouzi will enhance his reputation massively if he emerges the winner and he is certainly in with a chance.