Three Nigerian descents make 2022 Golden Boy top 20 shortlist

The roster for the 20 best young players on the European continent has been released

Three players of Nigerian descent – Karim Adeyemi, Jamal Musiala, and Destiny Udogie – have made the top twenty shortlist for the 2022 Golden Boy award.

Established by Italian sports newspaper Tuttosport in 2003, the Golden Boy award is given to the best young footballer in Europe over a calendar year.

One of the favourites for the honour, Karim Adeyemi, was born in Munich to a Nigerian father and a Romanian mother.

The Borussia Dortmund forward has, however, pledged his international allegiance to Germany. He has earned four caps for the former World Champions since helping them win the 2021 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.

Like Adeyemi, Jamal Musiala is a player born to a Nigerian father but plays international football for Germany.

The 19-year-old Bayern Munich talent already represented the Europeans at the UEFA Euro 2020.

The third Nigerian descent on the list is Tottenham Hotspur-owned Destiny Udogie. An Italian youth international, Udogie remains eligible to play for the Super Eagles.

Currently on loan at Udinese, the young full-back is, however, more inclined to represent Italy on the international scene.

Aside from these three, Jude Bellingham, Gavi, Pedri, Eduardo Camavinga, and Ansu Fati are all in contention for the Golden Boy award.

2022 Golden Boy Top 20 Shortlist

1. Karim Adeyemi (Borussia Dortmund, Red Bull Salzburg)
2. Antonio Silva (Benfica)
3. Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund)
4. Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid)
5. Fabio Carvalho (Liverpool, Fulham)
6. Ansu Fati (Barcelona)
7. Gavi (Barcelona)
8. Wilfried Gnonto (Leeds United, FC Zurich)
9. Ryan Gravenberch (Bayern Munich, Ajax)
10. Josko Gvardiol (RB Leipzig)
11. Fabio Miretti (Juventus)
12. Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich)
13. Nico (Valencia, Barcelona)
14. Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain)
15. Pedri (Barcelona)
16. Giorgio Scalvini (Atalanta)
17. Benjamin Sesko (Red Bull Salzburg)
18. Mathys Tel (Bayern Munich, Rennes)
19. Destiny Udogie (Udinese)
20. Nicola Zalewski (Roma)