Arsenal, Chelsea and Monaco forwards of Nigerian descent nominated for 2025 Golden Boy award

Three forwards eligible to represent Nigeria at international level have been named among the 100 nominees for the 2025 Golden Boy award, which honours the best U21 player in world football. 

The prestigious accolade, presented annually by Tuttosport, has been a benchmark for emerging global talent for over two decades.

Unveiled at a press conference on Wednesday evening, the 100-man shortlist includes Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri, Chelsea’s Tyrique George, and Monaco’s George Ilenikhena.

Nwaneri, an 18-year-old Hale End Academy graduate, is the highest-ranked Nigerian on the list at 8th.

He enjoyed a breakthrough season for Arsenal, scoring nine goals and providing two assists across 37 appearances in all competitions.

George, 19, who is ranked 41st, was permanently promoted to Chelsea’s first team for the 2024–25 campaign.

He made a strong impression with seven goal involvements in 24 matches ahead of Wednesday’s UEFA Conference League final.

Monaco striker George Ilenikhena, born in Lagos and placed 96th on the list, also had a promising campaign, contributing six goals and two assists over the course of the season.

Although Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal is widely regarded as the standout young player of the moment, the 17-year-old is ineligible to win the award again, having already claimed it in 2024.

Golden Boy rules prohibit previous winners from being named again.

Rounding out the current top five ranked players are Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsi, PSG duo Desire Doué and Warren Zaïre-Emery and Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly.

To qualify for the Golden Boy award, nominees must have been born in 2004 or later and have played for a club competing in one of UEFA’s top 25 leagues, as determined by UEFA’s coefficient rankings.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Copyright ANS
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com