40 journalists, experts in international football (including editors) representing the most authoritative publications of 22 European nations, express their preferences on the basis of the best Under-21s selected by Tuttosport. Tuttosport nominates 100 talents on 15 June, which are then progressively reduced by 20 on a monthly basis until reaching the shortlist of 20 finalists in mid-October, from which the winner will be selected.