Ghana whiz kid Christian Atsu is a hot favourite to win the 2012 Golden Boy Award given to the best European footballer under the age of 21 .
The FC Porto player has been named in a 38-man shortlist for this year gong which will be voted for by 30 journalists from all over the continent.
The 20-year-old was named Rio Ave’s Player of the Year in May- a club he spent last season on loan.
He scored on his international debut in June this year during a 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Lesotho at the Baba Yara Stadium.
Atsu dazzled again for Ghana in September and scored one of the goals in the 2-0 win over Malawi in the first leg 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at home.
But he faces stiff competition from Bayern Munich’s Alaba; Raheem Sterling of Liverpool, Joao Moutinho of Inter Milan, Iker Muniain and Malaga’s Isco.
The Golden Boy Award is organized by Italian sports newspaper Tuttosport and the winner decorated at a December ceremony in Turin.
