Matthijs Of Ligt wins the Trophy 'Golden Boy' 2018, and surrenders to Leo Messi!

The past summer started the votes, but after happening some courts, this Monday has published the definite verdict: Matthijs of Ligt is the winner of the Trophy 'Golden Boy' 2018, that rewards to the best player sub-21 of the season. The one of Leiderdorp has hardly 19 years, but already is a referent stood out that shines to world-wide level and his career can mark a period.

From among the five applicants that still played the award, the defender of the Ajax has obtained the first place with solvency, surpassing to Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Justin Kluivert (Rome), Patrick Cutrone (Milan) and Vinicius Jr (Real madrid). It is already the first defence in being recompensado with this distinction, and has sucedido to another young star like Kylian Mbappé.

The French split like favourite in this edition after having conquered the title in the past, but to keep the tradition that it does not repeat champion, was excluded of the final relation. The Dutch is a worthy heir, since in his short great path already 89 parties with the Ajax and 13 with the combined absolute of Holland, some figures that has adorned with 9 goals and 4 assistances with his club and a performance that goes in promotion, and that turns him into a bet of future with a present ilusionante.

Of Ligt, loved after winning a prize that already conquered Leo Messi

In a recognition that 'Tuttosport' delivery from 2003, Of Ligt has planted to the height of some world-wide stars that today already are veteran, and that in his moment answered to the expectations after being rewarded in the first steps of his career. The Dutch has stood out the illusion that does him the prize, especially in comparison with who carried it to him before and when treating of the first defence that reaches it.

"I am very happy and also very proud to having won this trophy. Especially if I look to the players that won it before. It is almost incredible can be in a list with names like Pogba, Mbappé, Messi and Go der Vaart. It is genial! Of course that reviewed the list of ex winners. I know it to me almost by heart... And to be honest, appreciate it a lot", has recognised.

But from among all they, Matthijs recognises that there is one that likes him especially: "there are names very big in the list, but if I have to appoint one, Messi is the man for me. All know it and know what did in and by the football. Really it likes me like player. So I am very proud to having won the same trophy that he collected thirteen years ago, when I only had six".

The historical list of winners of the Trophy 'Golden Boy'

• 2003 - Rafael go der Vaart (Ajax)
• 2004 - Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
• 2005 - Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona)
• 2006 - Cesc Fàbregas (Arsenal)
• 2007 - Sergio Agüero (Athletic of Madrid)
• 2008 - Anderson (Manchester United)
• 2009 - Alexandre Duck (Milan)
• 2010 - Mario Balotelli (Manchester City)
• 2011 - Mario Götze (Borussia Dortmund)
• 2012 - Isco (Málaga)
• 2013 - Paul Pogba (Juventus)
• 2014 - Raheem Sterling (Liverpool)
• 2015 - Anthony Martial (Manchester United)
• 2016 - Renato Sanches (Bayern of Munich)
• 2017 - Kylian Mbappé (Paris Saint-Germain)
• 2018 - Matthijs of Ligt (Ajax)