Ranking the 5 greatest Golden Boy award winners to have played with Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo has been team-mates with some of the best in the business
Cristiano Ronaldo has been team-mates with some of the best in the business

#3 Isco (Real Madrid)

Club Atletico de Madrid v Real Madrid CF - UEFA Champions League Semi Final: Second Leg
Club Atletico de Madrid v Real Madrid CF - UEFA Champions League Semi Final: Second Leg

Cristiano Ronaldo played with some amazing players during his time at Real Madrid and Isco was one of them. The Spanish midfielder came through the ranks at Valencia and as he struggled to get into the senior team, he decided to join Malaga in 2011.

Isco is a very creative player with excellent technique at his disposal. He has amazing ball control and can dribble past players effortlessly. His superb performance in the 2012-13 season helped him win the 2012 Golden Boy award, beating AC Milan's Stephan El Shaarawy.

The Spaniard joined Real Madrid in 2013 and was gifted the opportunity to play alongside Cristiano Ronaldo. After the Portuguese left in 2018 to play for Juventus, Los Blancos started struggling. When askes if they missed the great Portuguese forward, Isco made the following statement:

"People have been talking about that all season. We can't be talking about someone who isn't here. I miss [Gareth] Bale and [Dani] Carvajal when they are not with us. There are plenty of solutions to score goals."
"We can't be crying over someone who didn't want to be here."

#2 Paul Pogba (Manchester United)

Manchester United v Atalanta: Group F - UEFA Champions League
Manchester United v Atalanta: Group F - UEFA Champions League

Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup-winning Manchester United team-mate Paul Pogba is a talented midfielder. The Frenchman, like the Portuguese, was once a Juventus player.

Pogba joined Juventus in 2012 citing concerns over playing time at Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson. On his day, the French superstar can destroy the opposition with his fascinating dribbling, amazing ball control, superb passing range and outrageous technique.

In the 2012-13 season, he helped the Old Lady win the Scudetto and was also instrumental in winning the U-20 World Cup for France.

This helped him win the 2013 Golden Boy award, beating second-placed Romelu Lukaku in the process. With Cristiano Ronaldo back at Manchester United this summer, Pogba will be looking to win some silverware with him. That being said, looking at the Red Devils' current situation, it is not going to be easy.


#1 Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)

Liverpool v Manchester United
Liverpool v Manchester United

Cristiano Ronaldo ran riot when he played with Wayne Rooney at Manchester United. The duo were almost unstoppable at times courtesy of their dangerous pace and fabulous goal-scoring abilities.

Rooney made a great impression while playing for Everton at a very young age. His goal ended Arsenal's 30-match unbeaten run in the 2002-03 season. His brilliant performances earned him a move to Manchester United in 2004. The English forward won the 2004 Golden Boy award.

Manchester United enjoyed a lot of success with both Cristiano Ronaldo and Rooney on the pitch. Both players have been huge admirers of each other. Without a doubt, Rooney has to be one of the best players Cristiano Ronaldo has played with.

Quick Links