++ [ originally posted by fred weasley
] ++
Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has won the 'Golden Boy' prize for the best young player in Europe.
The England forward received the prize from Italian newspaper Tuttosport after topping a journalists' poll to find the outstanding footballer under 21.
Rooney, 19, finished ahead of team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo, Fernando Torres, Arjen Robben and Obafemi Martins.
"As far as I am aware, this is the first international trophy I have won," said a delighted Rooney.
Ajax forward Rafael van der Vaart was last year's winner of an award Tuttosport hope will become regarded as the young player's equivalent of the European Footballer of the Year.
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i'm sure tuttosport watches all top leagues and especially the italaian one dont you think Andy?