Pedri and Eric Garcia on the long list of candidates for the Golden Boy award

Italian magazine 'Tuttosport' has named the 40 finalists for its 'Golden Boy' award for the most talented young player under  the age of 21 for the year 2021. Barça players Pedri and Eric Garcia are amongst the long list of candidates. 

Created in 2003, the award sees the list of 40 names whittled down the 100 man list published in July. On 15 October the magazine will announce another list, this time of just 20 candidates. 

Last year Barça striker Ansu Fati came in second in the 'Golden Boy' award behind Norwegian striker Erling Haaland. However, Ansu did win the Web Golden Boy award chosen by website users. The award ceremony will take place in Turin, Italy in the middle of December. 

Pedri amongst the main candidates

The 18 year old midfielder Pedri has burst on to the scene in 2021, becoming a fixture in the Barça side and also performing on the international stage with Spain the recent European Championships and in winning a silver medal at the Olympic Games in Tokyo. 

Should the teenager claim the award he would be the second blaugrana to win after Leo Messi's victory in 2003. 

Eric Garcia also included 

After a slow start to the year with his former club Manchester City, Eric Garcia has been included in the 40 man list after featuring in the European Championships and Olympic Games also and for Barça at the start of the 2021/22 season. 

On the 40 man list is also former blaugrana Ilaix Moriba who moved from Barça to RB Leipzig last month.