Liverpool youngster Fabio Carvalho is officially one of the top 20 best prospects in world football.
Okay, maybe it’s not quite official. But as per liverpoolfc.com, the 20-year-old has made the final shortlist for the annual Golden Boy award.
For those unfamiliar with the award, it’s given by Italian outlet Tuttosport to the best player in Europe aged 21 or under.
Carvalho’s Liverpool teammate Harvey Elliott had been included in the top 40 but has missed out on the final list. Well done, Fabio!
Carvalho among Europe’s leading youngsters
This is great news for Carvalho and should be a big confidence boost for the young man. He’s disappeared a little from view recently at Liverpool but came back with a good display midweek against Rangers.
That should hopefully give him the platform he needs to build on what has been a mixed start to life at Anfield.
After two early season goals, including the dramatic winner against Newcastle, Carvalho has struggled to get going. Injuries have been one cause of that, as has Liverpool’s poor form.
But Jurgen Klopp obviously has great belief in the Portugal U21 star. The manager was pleased with his performance at Ibrox and will no doubt be delighted that his talents have been recognised here.
As for Carvalho’s chances in this one, he has to go in as a real underdog. The list contains such star names as Jude Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga and Jamal Musiala.
Having been won last year by Barcelona’s Pedri, and Erling Haaland before him, the award does have pedigree.
Should Carvalho pull off an unexpected victory, he would join Raheem Sterling as a Liverpool winner.
For Elliott, he will be disappointed. But he’ll be made up for Carvalho who he called ‘special’ via The Athletic this summer. Harvey should use it as motivation to push on and get himself on the shortlist next year instead.
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