Golden Boy 2023: ‘Astonishing’ Jude Bellingham, ‘amazing’ Jamal Musiala – Analysing the favourites for the award

It’s that time of the year again, as well as the Ballon d’Or, it’s also the time for the Golden Boy 2023 awards.

The winner will be revealed on December 4 but the shortlist has been trimmed down this week.

The 25-player shortlist is as follows:

Jude Bellingham, Jamal Musiala, Xavi Simons, Antonio Silva, Alejandro Balde, Florian Wirtz, Benjamin Sesko, Giorgio Scalvini, Rasmus Hojlund, Levi Colwill, Johan Bakayoko, Milos Kerkez, Arthur Vermeeren, Evan Ferguson, Lucas Gourna-Douath, Warren Zaire-Emery, Ousmane Diomande, Arnau Martinez, Mathys Tel, Andy Diouf, Arda Guler, Bilal El Khannouss, Martin Baturina, Joao Neves and Lamine Yamal.

With that in mind we got in touch with some of our offices in Europe to get their thoughts on some of the big favourites for the award.

As for the rest of the players in England, Evan Ferguson has certainly taken a lot of people by surprise. Still just 18, he’s already reached double figures for Premier League goals across his career and has a host of big clubs interested. Levi Colwill stands out simply because it’s still difficult for Chelsea academy players to make it into the first team, but his loan at Brighton clearly did wonders for his standing. He is not perhaps at the very top level but he’s certainly getting there. The same can be said for Rasmus Hojlund, who is slowly but surely adjusting to life in England and is showing the signs that he could be a long-term option for Manchester United up front.

Pete Sharland, Eurosport UK

Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala is an amazing talent and an essential part of FC Bayern. His goal against Copenhagen in the Champions League was emblematic of his enormous quality. Musiala brings everything a world-class offensive player needs – his main weapon is his incredible dribbling. But since the World Cup last winter, Musiala seems somewhat inhibited, which is also reflected in the numbers. In 2023, for example, he ‘only’ scored three Bundesliga goals for Bayern. Regardless he has an outstanding career ahead of him.

Sticking with Bayern Munich and it is obvious that they have landed a top player with Mathys Tel. Tel would presumably be a regular player at any other Bundesliga club, but at Bayern he is a role player. However, he fulfills this role in an unbelievable manner. He has already been the decisive man for Bayern several times this season (for example in Copenhagen, in Gladbach or at home against Manchester United). Tel can operate as a striker as well as a left winger. He is technically strong, already brings a great physique at the age of 18 and has a fantastic finish.

Thomas Tuchel said of him: “Mathys has a high impact off the bench. He is a weapon for us at the moment, we know what he can give us. He will also start games this season. He is currently showing that he can assist and score goals. We’re taking it step by step with him. He’s on the right track. We’re happy that he’s here and he’s happy about it too.”

Not only in Munich are there top talents though, Leverkusen has the greatest talent – together with Musiala – in German football. It’s amazing how quickly Florian Wirtz has recovered after tearing his cruciate ligament. The 20-year-old is the linchpin of Leverkusen’s offensive play and has played a major role in Bayer 04’s current lead in the Bundesliga table. In my opinion, he’s even in better form than Musiala in 2023. Just look at his assist for the 1-0 against FC Koln last Sunday – that says everything about him in terms of understanding of the game and creativity. It’s almost certain that he’ll take the next big step in terms of a transfer after the 2024 European Championship. But until then, he should help Leverkusen secure its first title since 1993.

Dennis Melzer, Eurosport Germany

It is true that Alejandro Balde’s impact has been remarkable in the last year. Not only did he manage to take the place of Jordi Alba – Barcelona’s starting left-back for the last 10 years and one of the best players in his position in the history of La Liga – but he also forced the departure of Alba from the club he was that good.

There are two other Barcelona starlets who are deserving of a place on the list. Last year’s winner Gavi could not be included but did Lamine Yamal – a wonder boy of just 16 years who is burning records of precocity and whose progression seems to have no limits – deserve a spot on the main list rather than as a wildcard?

Felix Martin, Eurosport Spain

Warren Zaire-Emery is only 17 but he sometimes gives the impression of being 10 years older. He is a technically gifted player but where he is really amazing is in the physical aspect. Thierry Henry, his U21 coach, says he has never seen a player so physically strong at his age. He is able to hold his own against players who are stronger and more experienced than him. Reliable, calm, impervious to pressure, he would already be a starter for many other teams. He has also become a real “chouchou” (roughly translated as darling of fan favourite) of PSG supporters.

Julien Pereira, Eurosport France