Golden Boy Award: Nigerian Youngster Speaks On Chances Of Beating Sancho, Haaland

The race for who is to be crowned the most impressive youngster in Europe is in top gear, and a Nigerian teenager believes three other starlets deserve the award more than himself

Red Bull Salzburg wonderkid Karim Adeyemi has expressed his pleasure at being nominated for the Golden Boy award. Still, he acknowledges that the trio of Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies, and Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho and Erling Haaland are better placed to scoop the top award.

The Golden Boy award is an award that is given by sports journalists to the best performing under-21 footballer playing in Europe during a calendar year. Dutchman Rafael van der Vaart was the first to win the top prize in 2003, while the most recent was picked up by Atletico Madrid’s Joao Felix.

Adeyemi is in the running for this year’s honour, having contributed 29 goals (13 goals, 16 assists) in 33 matches for Red Bull Salzburg teams throughout the 2019-2020 season.

The youngster Is optimistic of making it past the first round of voting but acknowledges that winning the award in the face of fierce competition is impossible.

“I wasn’t too surprised, but at first didn’t realize it—only after RB Salzburg posted something. I don’t care too much whether I will make it to the next round,” Adeyemi told transfermarkt.

“I am happy about the nomination, that matters. Considering the top players, who are still on the list, it will be hard to stand out.

“But I would like to make it to the next round. Why not? But I don’t think I have a chance to win it.

“Jadon Sancho, Alphonso Davies, and, of course, Erling Haaland. Those three have deserved it the most. They have played a super season and made a big step in their development.

“They are my favorites and role models, who I want to emulate.”

Born in Munich to a Nigerian father and a Romanian mother, Adeyemi is still eligible to play for the Super Eagles despite having represented Germany at different youth levels.