Twenty young stars that will be a hit in four years time.
Youth took an unprecedented front seat at this year’s World Cup and highlighted that the production lines of all involved are working like finely oiled machines. Most of the youngsters that travelled didn’t receive much game time, but those who did have made a name of themselves as ones to watch. So with that in mind, we present to you the 20 best World Cup starlets that will make a high splash at the next tournament in 2018.
DeAndre Yedlin – USA
Age: 21
Caps: 7
Yedlin has been bubbling up in Major League Soccer for the past two seasons as a future star, and at this summer’s tournament he got to show just how far he’s come in that short space of time. Having come on against Portugal, he played a part in Clint Dempsey putting the States ahead, and followed that up by causing Belgium a number of problems in the knockout stage. Rumoured to be interesting Liverpool, he will undoubtedly have a big future within the USMNT.
Adnan Januzaj – Belgium
Age: 19
Caps: 2
Having made his debut just shortly before the tournament, it was unlikely that the Manchester United forward would see much game time despite his prodigious debut season at Old Trafford. However, with qualification already assures, he got on for an hour against South Korea and showed that the international stage is just another platform for him to leave a positive impression on.
Matthias Ginter – Germany
Age: 20
Caps: 2
The Freiburg stopper failed to see any action in Brazil, but he wasn’t included for nothing. Ginter has had a standout season in the Bundesliga and coach Jogi Low sought to hand him his international debut shortly before setting off for South America just in case he would be needed. Strong, quick and intelligent, he fits in with Germany’s ethos perfectly, and as some of the older stars start to step down it will be him that benefits.
Ricardo Rodriguez – Switzerland
Age: 21
Caps: 22
Rodriguez is already an established performer for club and country, and speculation over his future is set to go into overdrive this summer. He showed his class by creating both goals that took all three points from Ecuador in the opening game before continuing to terrorise opposition defences with his marauding runs and pinpoint crossing.
Raphael Varane – France
Age: 21
Caps: 11
The Real Madrid star has enjoyed a meteoric rise recently and is now on the fast track to becoming a first team regular for both club and country. Out of France’s five games at the tournament the youngster started five and came off the bench for the final group game, rested after qualification had already been assured. His maturity and outstanding defensive abilities earmark him as a future legend, and in four years he’ll be taking no prisoners.
Luke Shaw – England
Age: 19
Caps: 3
Whilst in Brazil Shaw became the youngest player to ever pull on a Three Lions jersey at a major tournament, and though he only featured once in the final pride-salvaging game against Costa Rica, he displayed just why so many people are tipping him for a bright future. Calm, skilful, and defensively sound, he has all the ingredients to be a success and will only improve under the tutelage of new boss Louis Van Gaal at Manchester United.
Son Heung Min – South Korea
Age: 21
Caps: 26
Goals: 7
South Korea may not have had a good tournament, but Son was the one player that stood out from a disappointing campaign. Scoring one of the country’s three goals, he showed that he has the necessary class to succeed at international level and will be looking forward to tearing up the Bundesliga (and the Champions League) for Bayer Leverkusen this season.
Divock Origi – Belgium
Age: 19
Caps: 7
Goals: 1
One of the most exciting players in an exciting squad that failed to live up to expectations was the little known teenager from Lille. Origi burst on to the scene against Russia in the group stage where he rescued a drab game by netting the only goal to give them all three points. He them kept Romelu Lukaku on the bench until the latter stages and looks set to be rewarded for his efforts by heading to Liverpool.
Nabil Bentaleb – Algeria
Age: 19
Caps: 5
Goals: 1
It’s been a whirlwind year for Bentaleb so far. Having broke into the Spurs first team he saw his hard work pay off with a call up to the Algerian national side shortly after. He featured in all three of the African side’s group games before sadly missing out on the tense clash with Germany in the round of 16. He will hope to take this good form, and good fortune, into the upcoming Premier League campaign.
Julian Green – USA
Age: 19
Caps: 3
Goals: 1
Little was known about Green before the tournament, but that is probably because he hasn’t even featured in Bayern Munich’s first team yet. However, coach Jurgen Klinsmann saw enough to bring him into the his side and was vindicated by his outstanding performances throughout. His David Platt-esque goal against Belgium in the knockout stage showed that this kid will go far in his career, and hopefully he will be given a chance to shine in Germany.
Mateo Kovacic – Croatia
Age: 20
Caps: 12
The young Inter forward was often brought on from the bench to give his side a little more attacking impetus during the final stages. However, despite his best efforts he was unable to save the eastern Europeans from an early elimination. Get one thing sure, though, in four years time he will be an immense talent, and may even usurp Luka Modric from his place in the side.
Ross Barkley – England
Age: 20
Caps: 9
Barkley, like Kovacic, was often brought on in the second half to add some more thrust to a side that struggled to create anything truly meaningful. Though he looked impressive when in possession, it was clear that nobody else was on his wavelength, but that wasn’t his fault. The Everton man will likely become a key figure for the side over the next four years so expect him to have a starring role in Russia in four years time.
Serge Aurier – Ivory Coast
Age: 21
Caps: 10
For someone that played so well it’s amazing that Arsenal decided to drop their interest in him as the tournament progressed. The young full-back proved himself to be a handful on the right flank and his raw pace and crossing will no doubt become more refined over time.
Julian Draxler – Germany
Age: 20
Caps: 12
Goals: 1
Draxler has been highlighted as one of the great sparks for the future of the German national side and will likely play a key part in the country’s defence of their title in four years time. Draxler only managed to get on sparingly this time around, being used when the damage had already been done, but he already has a World Cup winners medal to his name and a host of clubs all interested in his signature.
Marco Veratti – Italy
Age: 21
Caps: 8
Goals: 1
Verratti was only given a chance once Italy’s tournament reached boiling point and they needed a big victory. Sadly, he was unable to help – showing the strain of a season of uncertainty in the French capital. He has been tipped to move on this summer, and it would benefit his international career greatly.
Ahmed Musa – Nigeria
Age: 21
Caps: 40
Goals: 7
The left winger was undoubtedly the Super Eagles star player as he played a key role in helping the Africans escape from a tricky group stage. His two goals against Argentina kept them on their toes as he danced his way through their defence with ease. Currently on board with CSKA Moscow he could be a target for a number of top European sides in the coming weeks as his energy and unpredictability make him a most dangerous proposition.
Joel Campbell – Costa Rica
Age: 22
Caps: 36
Goals: 10
Campbell finally got the chance to show what he is capable of in a difficult group containing three former World Cup winners, but he didn’t let the big names scare him as he tore into each with a reckless enthusiasm that helped his side claim a shock top spot finish. Likely to be given his chance to shine at Arsenal next term, he will be key for helping the Central Americans build on their unprecedented run to the last eight.
Paul Pogba – France
Age: 21
Caps: 15
Goals: 3
The Juve star is destined for big things within the game, and that was highlighted by the fact that he was named as FIFA’s Young Player of the Tournament as he helped France make their way to the quarter finals. Opened the scoring against a dangerous Nigeria side in the last 16, his class and effortless ability on the ball made him stand out straight away and we could have here a future Ballon d’Or winner.
Raheem Sterling – England
Age: 19
Caps: 5
Sterling was a breath of fresh air for England. For the first time in a long time the Three Lions had an exciting and dangerous player that wasn’t afraid to take on his opponents head on and try his luck from distance. Still raw, but he’ll have a massive impact on how the side play in the near future as he is the kind of player that is worth building a team around.
Memphis Depay – Netherlands
Age: 20
Caps: 9
Goals: 2
Dynamic, powerful and electrifying in front of goal. Depay probably wasn’t meant to figure so heavily for Louis Van Gaal, but his performances meant that he could not be ignored for selection. Having scored against Australia and Chile, he always looked a threat going forward and his excellent showing saw him nominated for the young player of the tournament award. Destined for much bigger things, it would be no surprise to see him at a truly top club in the near future.
SEE ALSO: Top 10 smoking footballers