Six Nigerians Join Yamal, Estevao Lewis-Skelly In 2026 European Golden Boy Top 100

Six Nigerians Join Yamal, Estevao Lewis-Skelly In 2026 European Golden Boy Top 100

By Niyi Busari 

Brighton & Hove Albion's Nigerian midfielder Zadok Yohanna has been named among the 100 nominees for the 2026 European Golden Boy award, joining some of football's brightest young talents, including Lamine Yamal, Miles Lewis-Skelly and Estevao, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The initial shortlist, released by Italian sports daily Tuttosport, recognises the top-performing qplayers under the age of 21 based on their performances and achievements during the 2026 calendar year.

Yohanna, 19, is ranked 80th after completing a summer move from Swedish side AIK Stockholm to Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion on a five-year contract that runs until June 2031.

The Nigerian youngster features alongside several highly rated prospects, including Barcelona and Spain star Lamine Yamal, Arsenal and England defender Miles Lewis-Skelly, Chelsea's Brazilian winger Estevao, Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Warren Zaire-Emery, Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsi, Sporting CP centre-back Ousmane Diomande, Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, Bayern Munich's Lennart Karl and Chelsea defender Jorrel Hato.

Although Yamal tops the rankings, the Barcelona forward is ineligible to win the award after claiming the Golden Boy title in 2024. Under the competition's rules, previous winners cannot receive the award again.

Yohanna earned recognition following an impressive spell with AIK Stockholm, where he scored five goals and registered four assists in 18 appearances before sealing his move to Brighton.

His performances also earned him a call-up to Nigeria's squad for the 2026 Unity Cup. However, AIK declined to release him because the competition was staged outside FIFA's official international match window.

Yohanna is one of six Nigerian players included in this year's Top 100 list. Others are Arsenal midfielder Ethan Nwaneri, Liverpool youngster Rio Ngumoha, Atalanta defender Honest Ahanor, SV 07 Elversberg midfielder Francis Onyeka and Juventus forward Jeff Ekhator.

The winner of the 2026 Golden Boy award will be announced in November.

Since its inception, the Golden Boy award has been won by several players who represented Spanish clubs, including Lionel Messi, Cesc Fabregas, Sergio Aguero, Isco, Pedri, Gavi and Jude Bellingham.

Spain leads all nations with four Golden Boy winners, followed by France with three, while Argentina, Brazil, England, the Netherlands and Portugal have each produced two winners.