Croatian Josip Brekalo among finalists for 2018 Golden Boy award

Josip Brekalo (Getty)

One Croatian player has made the final cut for the 2018 Golden Boy award. 

Wolfsburg striker Josip Brekalo (20) has made the shortlist of 20 finalists for the 2018 Golden Boy award. The award is given by sports journalists to best young footballer aged 21 or under playing in Europe. 

Brekalo, who is tipped to be named in Zlatko Dalić’s Nations League squad for upcoming matches, is a product of the famous Dinamo Zagreb youth set up. He made his senior debut for Dinamo at 19 before moving to the Bundesliga. 

Big things are predicted for the left-winger who was Croatia’s top goal scorer in the U-21 EURO qualification campaign which ended this month. 

The original list of 40 names was cut to 20 today with the winner announced later this year. 

Joining Brekalo on the list is another Dinamo Zagreb youth product, Spanish midfielder Dani Olmo.

Past winners include Wayne Rooney, Lionel Messi, Sergio Agüero, Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappe, who has the opportunity to win the award again this year.

Final 20 Nominees for 2018 Golden Boy Award: 

Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)

Kelvin Amian (Toulouse)

Houssem Aouar (Lyon)

Josip Brekalo (Wolfsburg)

Patrick Cutrone (AC Milan)

Dani Olmo (Dinamo Zagreb)

Tom Davies (Everton)

Matthijs De Ligt (Ajax)

Diogo Dalot (Manchester United)

Eder Militao (Porto)

Odsonne Edouard (Celtic) 

Phil Foden (Manchester City)

Gedson Fernandes (Benfica)

Amadou Haidara (Salzburg)

Achraf Hakimi (Borussia Dortmund – on loan from Real Madrid)

Nanitamo Ikone (Lille)

Justin Kluivert (Roma)

Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain)

Dayot Upamecano (RB Leipzig)

Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid)