The ten greatest youngsters in the world…
SEE ALSO: The best managers in world football
CaughtOffside has compiled its list of the ten best teenagers in the world right now. These players are currently honing their talents all over the globe, and our list includes representatives from the Brazilian, Belgian, Spanish and English leagues.
First up is an exciting Dutch footballer of Serbian descent, who has been likened to the brilliant Arjen Robben in style…
10) Richairo Zivkovic – Groingen
A remarkably fast and skilful winger, Zivkovic played superbly in the Eredivisie last term, bagging 11 top flight goals in just 16 starts. He doesn’t turn 20 until 2017, when he’ll quite possibly be regarded as one of the very best young players on the planet if he continues his rise to prominence. Ajax have snapped him up in time for next season, beating competition from the likes of Real Madrid and Liverpool for his signature.
Click through the pages to read the rest of the best teenagers on the planet…
9) Zakaria Bakkali
On the first day of last season, Bakkali bagged a hat-trick for PSV – announcing his talent to the world. Unfortunately, he didn’t score another goal all season, but for a 17-year-old to score three in a professional match proves that there’s some serious talent there to be honed.
8) Divock Origi
The only teenager to score a goal at the World Cup this summer, Origi is subject of a tug of war transfer battle between Liverpool and Tottenham. The young Belgian can play on either wing or up top, and is unlikely to remain at Lille beyond this summer.
7) Simone Scuffet
Aged only 18, the Italian goalkeeper played 16 times in the notoriously difficult Serie A last season for Udinese, barely putting a foot wrong in the process. It’s no surprise he’s being widely touted as the heir apparent to the legend that is Gianluigi Buffon.
6) Saul Niguez
The Spanish teenager is equally adept at centre-back as he is in holding midfield, and thrived on loan for Rayo Vallecano from Atletico Madrid last term. He did so well, the reigning La Liga champions are expected to take him back and give him an important role in the first-team squad in 2014/15.
5) Max Meyer
Julian Draxler is more lauded at Schalke, but last term in Germany, Meyer was just as impressive. He scored seven goals last term aged only 18, and won his first cap for the national side as well. Meyer’s strengths are his brilliant technique on the ball, and the way he can thread intricate through-balls to onrushing attackers.
4) Adan Januzaj
Manchester United’s Belgian wonderkid burst onto the scene last season from relative obscurity, scoring two goals on his full debut against Sunderland. In the future, expect Januzaj to maximise his brilliant vision in a no.10 role, off a central forward.
3) Luke Shaw
In the next week or so, Shaw is likely to become the most expensive teenager of all time, if Manchester United complete their reported £34m deal for his services. Perhaps England have something to be cheerful about after all!
2) Gabriel Barbosa – Santos
Rated by those in Brazil who’ve seen this brilliant young attacker as the ‘Next Neymar’, Barbosa shares a frightening number of traits with the world-class Barcelona man. He has phenomenal ball control, loves a trick – and has scored 16 professional goals despite being only 17-years-old. Watch this space…
1) Raheem Sterling
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has nurtured the prodigal young attacker magnificently, and the teenager has well and truly paid him back for doing so. Last season, Sterling scored nine and assisted five Premier League goals, and was even selected in the pivotal no.10 role in England’s opening World Cup group match ahead of Wayne Rooney. He can dribble, and his pace is virtually incomparable, but it’s his strength and intelligence in possession that see him destined to become one of the world’s best players.
