18-year-old striker Silva and 20-year-old full-back Ait-Nouri have been named in the initial top 100 of the most promising footballers under the age of 21 playing in Europe.
Created by Italian newspaper Tuttosport in 2003, the Golden Boy awards see a century of the best young players gradually whittled down, month-by-month, to reach a final shortlist of 20, before a winner is found.
VOTE FOR SILVA OR AIT-NOURI HERE
Silva, who reached the final 20 last year, attracted plaudits for breaking onto the scene at Porto before scoring four goals in his first Premier League season having become Wolves’ record signing last summer.
After scoring his fourth goal of the season for the old gold against West Bromwich Albion, Silva became the second-highest scoring Portuguese teenager in Premier League history, with only Cristiano Ronaldo having scored more in the competition before turning 20.
Ait-Nouri is currently on loan at Molineux from Angers SCO, scoring just 17 minutes into his Premier League debut as he helped Wolves to victory over Crystal Palace earlier in the season.
Playing at both left-back and left wing-back during last season, the French youth international impressed as he made 24 appearances in all competitions.
The list of 100 nominees will be gradually reduced by 20 on the 15th of each month – becoming 80 in mid-July, 60 in mid-August and 40 in mid-September – before the 20 finalists are revealed on 15th October, from which the winner will emerge.
Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland overcame the challenge of Silva to pick up the prize last season, while previous winners of the award include Joao Felix, Kylian Mbappe, Raheem Sterling, Mario Balatelli and Lionel Messi.
To vote for Silva or Ait-Nouri, click here.
