Renato Sanches picks up 2016 Golden Boy award

Bayern Munich's Renato Sanches has collected the 2016 Golden Boy gong, a title rewarded to Europe's most impressive player under the age of 21.

The award, established by Italian newspaper Tuttosport in 2003, sees Sanches succeed last year's winner Anthony Martial of Manchester United. The Portuguese finished ahead of United's second-placed Marcus Rashford and third-placed Gianluigi Donnarumma, AC Milan's extremely promising goalkeeper.

He's the first representative from his homeland to take the top prize, with Cristiano Ronaldo finishing runner-up to Wayne Rooney in 2004.

"I'm beaming, this award has a global significance," Sanches told Tuttosport.

"But I am down to earth, I have much to learn mainly from my fantastic teammates such as (Arturo) Vidal, Xabi (Alonso), Thiago (Alcantara), and (Joshua) Kimmich.

"I dedicate the Golden Boy to my family. The Champions League? Bayern will win, there is no debate: we are the strongest team on the planet."

Sanches, 19, followed up a fine season with Benfica by winning Euro 2016 in France with Portugal. With Bayern Munich, he's fighting hard for first-team consideration and has made six league appearances this term.