Euro: Portugal wonderkid Renato Sanches wins Young Player award

Portugal midfielder Renato Sanches has been named as the Young Player of the Tournament at the 2016 Euro Championship.

The award winner – open to all players born on or after 1 January 1994 – was chosen by the UEFA's technical observers, which included legendary Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

The accolade caps a sensational breakthrough season for the teenager, whose performances as a substitute in three of Portugal's first four matches in France earned him his maiden international start for the quarter-final against Poland.

Sanches scored his first goal for his country that night in Marseille, making him the third-youngest player to register in a Euro finals fixture. He went on to both star in the last-four victory over Wales and, against France in Saint-Denis on Sunday, become the competition's youngest-ever finalist at 18 years and 328 days and its youngest winner – Portugal prevailing 1-0 to claim their first major title.

The Lisbon-born tyro, who joined Bayern München from Benfica in May, made his Portugal debut on 25 March.

For the award, Sanches edged out France winger Kingsley Coman, whom he will play alongside at Bayern next term, and Portugal team-mate Raphael Guerreiro. 

Courtesy: UEFA