Portugal dominates Golden Boy shortlist with nine rising football stars
Nine Portuguese footballers have been shortlisted for this year’s Golden Boy award. The list includes five players from FC Porto alone, making it the most represented club in the competition. Four Portuguese players initially made the 100-nominee shortlist. Among them were Geovany Quenda and João Simões from Sporting CP, as well as Mateus Mané, who currently plays for Wolverhampton. Rodrigo Mora and Martim Fernandes of FC Porto also secured nominations.
The total number of Portuguese nominees later rose to nine. FC Porto leads with five players on the list, more than any other club. Meanwhile, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain each have four nominees.
Portugal has won the Golden Boy award twice before. Renato Sanches claimed the title in 2016, followed by João Félix in 2019. This year, the country aims to reclaim the honour with its strongest-ever group of contenders. The Golden Boy shortlist now features nine Portuguese players, the highest number from any nation. With five nominees from FC Porto and past winners in its ranks, Portugal enters the race with strong ambitions. The winner will be announced in the coming months.
