Real Madrid rightfully well-represented on Golden Boy 2020 shortlist

Real Madrid have four players in the running for the 2020 Golden Boy award.

Since Real Madrid have arguably the best collection of young talent in world football both in their first-team squad and on loan, it is no surprise to see that they have a number of players still in the running for the 2020 Golden Boy award.

Tuttosport recently cut down the list of 100 nominees to 60, and Real Madrid still have four players represented on the list. Those players are left winger Vinicius Junior, right and left winger Rodrygo Goes, attacking midfielder Reinier Jesus, and attacking midfielder Takefusa Kubo.

The Golden Boy award is presented at the end of the year to the best player under the age of 21. It’s safe to say Los Blancos have quite the impressive group of players under 21, with Vini and Rodrygo headlining the list in terms of quality and upside.

All four of the players on the Golden Boy shortlist from Real Madrid look poised to have big 2020-2021 seasons. Vinicius is the oldest and most likely to have a major impact, and he came up big in key wins over rivals Atletico Madrid and Barcelona in 2020. Rodrygo had an arguably better season and will hopefully get more playing time next season.

Meanwhile, Kubo and Reinier are headed for more responsibility next season. Kubo will make the leap from Mallorca to Villarreal on loan, as the Yellow Submarine are looking to make a push for Champions League football under Unai Emery. Kubo is one of the fastest-rising talents in the world and a joy to watch with the ball at his feet.

Reinier had a strong half-season at Castilla after joining Los Blancos for 30 million euros in the winter transfer window. Next season, he could be playing in the Champions League for Borussia Dortmund, as they look like a great loan destination for the ascending attacking midfielder.

He has all the tools to be a breakout star alongside the likes of Erling Haaland, Julian Brandt, Marco Reus, and Thorgan Hazard. Even if Reinier doesn’t go to Dortmund, he could still do big things at Bayer Leverkusen as Kai Havertz’s replacement or in the Martin Odegaard role with La Liga’s Real Sociedad.

With so much young talent in the squad, it is a great time to be a Real Madrid fan, even if some Madridistas are still collecting themselves after the Champions League exit. It gets better.