YOUNGGUNS

The ten best teenagers in world football.

-  Mark Gleeson

 

With a new year upon us, and the World Cup concluding, it is now back to the routine of the international game. But that means an end to the excitement.  Domestic competition and Champions League football is buffeted by qualifiers for the next continental championships.

There are a lot of bright and talented young players emerging, potential successors to the generation of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. For the coming year, these are the top teenagers in world football to keep an eye out for.

JUDE BELLINGHAM

The 19-year-old is fancied to return to England next season from Borussia Dortmund, although Real Madrid are also said to be chasing his signature. Time in the Bundesliga has allowed for quicker development and fast-tracked him into the England team, which may not have been the case had he been at a Premier League club.

HARVEY ELLIOTT 

The young midfielder has already bounced back from a broken ankle to become a regular fixture for Liverpool this season. At Fulham, he became the Premier League's youngest ever player just 30 days after his 16th birthday. He has been called a 'young Leo Messi' for his ability on the ball.

RAYAN CHERKI