THE GOLDEN BOY IS AN ANNUAL AWARD BY TUTTOSPORT THAT HONORS THE MOST IMPRESSIVE UNDER-21 MALE FOOTBALLER PLAYING IN EUROPE’S TOP LEAGUES, AS JUDGED BY SPORTS JOURNALISTS.

THE AWARD STARTED OFF STRONGLY, WITH THE LIKES OF MESSI, AGÜERO, AND ROONEY WINNING IT WITHIN THE FIRST FEW YEARS OF ITS INCEPTION.

HOWEVER, THERE WAS A PERIOD BETWEEN 2008 AND 2016 WHERE THE WINNERS DIDN’T QUITE LIVE UP TO THOSE EARLY STANDARDS.

IN THIS VIDEO, WE TAKE A DEEP DIVE INTO WHO THEY WERE AND WHY THEY FAILED TO LIVE UP TO THE AWARD THAT NAMED THEM “GOLDEN.”