Juventus and Netherlands star Matthijs de Ligt could become the first player to win two Golden Boy trophies after he was named on the shortlist of 40 players in the running for the 2019 award.
Atletico Madrid and Portugal forward Joao Felix will be considered among the most serious competition, as will Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho and Real Madrid attacker Vinicius Junior.
Six Premier League players remain in this year's hunt for the award given to the best under-21 player, although no players from Liverpool or Manchester United have been included.
Manchester City's Phil Foden and Chelsea counterpart Mason Mount are among them, while Arsenal are the only English club with more than one nominee after Matteo Guendouzi and Reiss Nelson made the cut.