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#3 Anthony Martial (AS Monaco/Manchester United and France)
Former Golden Boy winner Anthony Martial began his career at Lyon in 2013. He then earned a €6-million move to Monaco the same year, where he spent two successful seasons. It was the 2014-15 campaign that thrust him into stardom, though.
The then 18-year-old Martial scored 12 goals and provided five assists in a remarkable 48 appearances for Monaco that season. His contributions helped Monaco finish a respectable third in Ligue 1, having only been promoted to the division in 2013.
They also topped their UEFA Champions League group that year, finishing ahead of Bayer Leverkusen, Zenit Saint Petersburg and Benfica. Monaco also produced one of the biggest upsets in the knockouts when they beat Arsenal 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium.
Anthony Martial had a stunning year in 2015, and won the Golden Boy award. That caught the attention of Manchester United, who bought the Golden Boy winner in a deal rising up to £58 million that year.
The 2015 Golden Boy winner had a strong debut season in England, scoring 17 goals and dishing out nine assists in 49 appearances across competitions. That included a stunning solo goal on his debut against United's fierce rivals Liverpool.
However, managerial changes at Manchester United meant there were several incomings and outgoings at the club. Martial has found himself out of favour over the last few seasons.
He has made eight appearances this season, and will hope to make his way back into the squad under interim manager Michael Carrick.
#2 Alexandre Pato (AC Milan and Brazil)
Alexandre Pato was a teenage sensation with blistering pace and a keen eye for goal. He showed glimpses of previous Brazilian greats such as Ronaldo Nazario and Rivaldo. However, injuries and a lack of discipline meant Pato never made it that far.
Having begun his career as a youth player at Internacional in 2000, Pato debuted for the Brazilian club in 2006 aged just 16. He scored 12 goals in 27 appearances, helping the club win the 2006 FIFA Club World Cup.
That helped him earn a move to AC Milan in 2007. In 2009, Pato scored 18 goals in 42 games across competitions, winning the Golden Boy award and the Serie A Young Footballer of the Year accolade too
He reached further heights with Milan, helping them win the Serie A title in the 2010-11 season, scoring 14 goals in 25 games. Pato was the team's top scorer that season. He produced a tunning moment in the Champions League against Barcelona that season:
After inconsistent spells in the first team and plagued by injuries, Pato lost the edge that separated him from the rest.
He returned to his native Brazil to play for Corinthians in 2013 before moving to Sao Paolo the following year. He has since had multiple short and unsuccessful spells at various clubs, including Chelsea and Villarreal. However, the former Golden Boy winner has failed to make any real impact.
Alexandre Pato currently plays for Orlando City SC in the MLS after his career in Europe did not materialise as expected.
#1 Mario Balotelli (Inter Milan/Manchester City and Italy)
Mario Balotelli is a classic example of what can happen to a young player who performs well at the biggest level, but doesn't have the right temperament. Just ask Jose Mourinho.
The Italian striker had two unsuccessful trials at Barcelona before joining Inter Milan in 2007, where Roberto Mancini handed him his debut. Balotelli went on to face several disciplinary issues throughout his career in Italy and England. He played for both Milan clubs, as well as Manchester City and Liverpool.
However, the striker scored some iconic goals, including a memorable strike against Manchester United while at City:
He also scored a wonderful goal for Italy against Germany in the 2012 UEFA European Championship semi-final:
In 2009-10, Balotelli scored 11 goals and assisted nine in 40 appearances across competitions, winning the Golden Boy award in 2010.
However, due to his flashy lifestyle, distractions off the pitch and indiscipline on it, Mario Balotelli did not reach the heights he showed brief glimpses of reaching.
