Bayern Munich and Portugal midfielder, Renato Sanches, has emerged winner of the European Golden Boy award for 2016.
The annual accolade – 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.
Sanches beat the Nigerian duo of Alex Iwobi and Kelechi Iheanacho as well as his club team-mate, Kingsley Coman, and Manchester United striker, Marcus Rashford, to the coveted award.
The 19-year-old will collect the trophy at a ceremony in Monte Carlo on Monday.
Sanches signed a five-year deal at the Allianz Arena from Benfica in May and went on to win the 2016 European Championship with Portugal, playing in six of his team’s seven matches.
“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.
