€1bn Barcelona youngster: see why he will win the 2021 Golden Boy Award

Barcelona shocked the world when they announced a new contract for their youngster Pedri and put a release clause of 1bn for a player who joined just over a year ago and is 18 years old, the release clause is the highest ever of any footballer, more than Neymar and Lionel Messi.

Today the 60 man shortlist for the 2021 Golden Boy award was reduced to 20 and Pedri expectedly was on the list alongside other youngsters below the age of 21, a list which also includes Eduardo Camavinga, Jude Bellingham, Giovanni Reyna and other youngsters across European clubs.

Pedri who played 73 games for club and country last season was also nominated in the 30 man list for the Ballon d'Or. He represented Spain in two tournaments after a tedious season for Barcelona, the Euro 2020 and Olympics where he reached the semi-final of Euro 2020 and final of the Olympics.

He won the Copa del Rey with FC Barcelona last season as well as an Olympic Silver medal. He clearly has been the best U21 player in the last year and will most likely scoop the award ahead of other nominees.