Renato Sanches has beaten a host of Europe’s top starlet to be crowned UEFA’s Golden Boy.
Portugal midfielder Renato Sanches has been named the 2016 UEFA Golden Boy award winner ahead of Marcus Rashford in second, Kingsley Coman in third and Moussa Dembele, who did not podium, as confirmed by the BBC.
The 19-year-old recently completed a transfer from Benfica to Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich after eye-catching performances during his breakthrough season.
Sanches will add the gong to the Euro 2016 medal he picked up whilst representing his country at his first major championships at the tender age of 18.
The Golden boy award is a prestigious prize presented to the most outstanding young player plying their trade in the top tier of a European national league.
For the 2016 instalment of the gong the nominees had be born after the cut-off date 1 January 1996.
Since its inception in 2003 by Italian news outlet Tuttosport, a 40-man annual shortlist is complied by a panel of 30 journalists from national publications across Europe including The Times (UK) and Bild (Germany).
Sanches dedicated the award to family and said that he still had plenty of work to do.
“I’m beaming, this award has a global significance,” he told Tuttosport.
“But I am down to earth, I have much to learn mainly from my fantastic team-mates such as Vidal, Xabi, Tiago and Kimmich. I dedicate the Golden Boy to my family.
“The Champions League? Bayern will win, there is no debate: we are the strongest team on the planet.”
Previous winners include Lionel Messi, Wayne Rooney, Paul Pogba, Raheem Sterling, Sergio Aguero and last years winner Anthony Martial.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
