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A couple of weeks ago, Luka Modric was announced as the UEFA Men's Player of the Year. Shortly afterwards, Lionel Messi missed out on the final shortlist for the FIFA Best Men's Player Award, the first time the Argentinian hasn't featured among the top three players in recent memory.
These occurrences signify a changing of the guard that we all knew would eventually arrive. Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have dominated individual awards handed out by UEFA and FIFA for over a decade, but as they enter the twilight of their careers it is now time for some new, younger superstars to take their place at the peak of the game.
Luckily, we are spoilt for choice when it comes to young talent. Better youth academics, greater competition at youth level such as the UEFA Youth League, and broader scouting networks all combine to produce wonderful players who are just beginning their careers.
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In the search for the next major football superstars, we have compiled a list of the 10 best young footballers in the world. We will update this list on a monthly basis to see if we can discover which player will become the first to lift a major individual award from this new generation.
There are several factors taken into account when compiling this list. First, and most importantly is age. Players must be under the age of 23 to qualify for this list. Once a player reaches their 23rd birthday, they are no longer eligible for entry as a best young footballer.
Other factors considered include market value, game time with their club, international appearances, trophies won, and average performance ratings. So, without further delay, here are the 10 best young footballers in the world for September 2018.
All market value and performance data is courtesy of transfermarkt.com and whoscored.com.
#10 Anthony Martial
Age: 22
Market Value: €65 million
Club: Manchester United
Just sneaking into the list ahead of Kingsley Coman and Leon Bailey, it is easy to forget that Anthony Martial is still only 22 years old.
Having moved to Old Trafford in 2015, Martial has endured many ups and downs over the past three years. His first season in Manchester was exceptional, but he has somewhat struggled for form under the tutelage of Jose Mourinho.
The summer fiasco involving rumours about a move away from the Premier League following the Frenchman's early departure from Manchester United's pre-season tour has now been put to bed. Both the player and club will hope that this will lead to Martial rediscovering his scintillating form and fulfilling his incredible potential.
If he is given an opportunity at Old Trafford this season, there is little doubt that Anthony Martial can quickly move up this list and become one of the best players in the world.
#9 Timo Werner
Age: 22
Market Value: €60 million
Club: RB Leipzig
Having played a vital role in the incredible rise of RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga and led the German line during the summer's World Cup, Timo Werner is on a rapid rise to becoming one of the best strikers on the planet.
At just 22 years old, he has made 19 appearances for Germany, scoring eight times. He was also the youngest player to ever play and score for VfB Stuttgart before moving to RB Leipzig, where he became the youngest player to ever reach 100 and 150 Bundesliga appearances.
While the German remains with RB Leipzig this season, it would come as a huge shock if he didn't move to Bayern Munich or another European giant next term. He has already netted 34 times in 64 appearances for last season's Europa League quarter-finalists and is sure to add to that tally this year.
The future is bright for Werner and if he maintains his goalscoring record there is little doubt his name will crop up when considering future Ballon d'Or winners.
#8 Marcus Rashford
Age: 20
Market Value: €65 million
Club: Manchester United
The second Manchester United player on this list, Marcus Rashford has enjoyed a meteoric rise over the past three years.
Having spent 10 years playing for the Manchester United youth teams, Rashford made his debut for the Red Devils in 2015, scoring a brace in the Europa League. He also scored a brace in his Premier League debut a few days later, cementing his place in the first team squad.
Since then, the 20-year-old has represented England 26 times including appearances at the summer's World Cup. He has already made 81 appearances for Manchester United, scoring 18 times.
His tender age means he is yet to establish himself as a regular starter for the Manchester club. However, there is undoubtedly much more to come from the forward and if he is developed correctly he has the potential to become one of the best players in the world.
#7 Thomas Lemar
Age: 22
Market Value: €70 million
Club: Atletico Madrid
Thomas Lemar will turn 23 next month and become unavailable for entry onto this list so it is appropriate that the Frenchman can be included this time around.
Having dazzled during a three-year spell at Monaco, Lemar secured a massive €70 million move to Atletico Madrid this summer, becoming the club's most expensive ever signing in the process.
The midfielder has already represented his country 13 times and was part of the squad which won the World Cup a few months ago. He was also part of the Atletico Madrid team which defeated Real Madrid to win the UEFA Super Cup, claiming silverware on his debut for Los Colchoneros.
Lemar's dribbling and passing ability make him a terrifying prospect for any defence to face and we will surely see his name crop up as a nomination for numerous awards over the coming years.
#6 Leroy Sane
Age: 22
Market Value: €90 million
Club: Manchester City
The PFA Young Player of the Year in 2017/18, Leroy Sane has been sensational since moving to the Premier League.
Having started his career at Schalke 04 in the Bundesliga, the German winger moved to Manchester City for just over €50 million in 2016. He has since made 61 appearances for the Citizens, helping them to a record-breaking title win last season.
The 22-year-old has also made 13 appearances for Germany but was surprisingly excluded from their World Cup squad during the summer. Regardless, he has already experienced a major international tournament, helping his nation reach the Euro 2016 semi-finals.
There is a lot more to come from Sane both in terms of team honours and individual awards.
#5 Marco Asensio
Age: 22
Market Value: €75 million
Club: Real Madrid
The quality of Marco Asensio can be summed up by the fact that he managed to keep Gareth Bale out of the Real Madrid team for long periods last season.
At just 22 years of age, the left winger has won an incredible number of trophies - two Champions League titles, a LaLiga title, the Supercopa de Espana, two UEFA Super Cups, and the FIFA World Club Cup.
Asensio has also made 16 appearances for Spain including during the recent World Cup. He has lifted the UEFA Under-19 European Championships with his nation and won the Silver Boot and inclusion in the Team of the Tournament at the 2017 UEFA Under-21 European Championships.
His incredible achievements at such as young age point towards a very bright future for Asensio. He has already made three appearances for Real Madrid this season with an assist and an average rating of 7.80 to his name.
#4 Ousmane Dembele
Age: 21
Market Value: €80 million
Club: Barcelona
When Ousmane Dembele arrived at the Nou Camp he was the second-joint most expensive footballer of all time.
The 21-year-old has had a somewhat patchy start to his career as a Barcelona player, making just 16 appearances and scoring three times during his debut LaLiga campaign. However, there is plenty of time and potential to put that right.
The forward already has 18 caps and a World Cup to his name with France and a LaLiga title with Barcelona. His four appearances and two goals for Barcelona this season indicate a bigger role for the youngster at the Nou Camp if he can remain injury-free.
One of the most highly-rated young talents in the world, Dembele has the right setting to become one of the best players in world football. With Barcelona and France, the sky is the limit and it is up to him whether he can reach for it or not.
#3 Dele Alli
Age: 22
Market Value: €100 million
Club: Tottenham Hotspur
Dele Alli burst onto the scene in 2015 after transferring from MK Dons in the English lower tier to Tottenham Hotspur. Since his move to the North London club, he has become one of the most impressive young players in the Premier League.
Over the past three seasons, Alli has formed an extraordinary partnership with Harry Kane, delivering consecutive top-four finishes for Spurs and making them one of England's elite clubs. Since 2016, Alli has played 142 for Spurs and England, scoring 42 goals and providing 33 assists - truly incredible numbers.
He has already amassed 31 caps for his country and was an integral part of their march to the semi-finals of the recent World Cup. He has collected a wide range of personal awards, however, the one thing missing from his resume is a trophy with his team.
While an exceptional footballer, Alli has a tendency to go missing for long periods and allow his temper to get the best of him at times. If he can erase that from his game, there are few who would argue that he can go on to become one of the world's best players.
#2 Gabriel Jesus
Age: 21
Market Value: €80 million
Club: Manchester City
The second Manchester City player on this list, Gabriel Jesus is so phenomenal that he managed to keep the club's record goalscorer, Sergio Aguero, on the bench at times last season.
At just 21 years of age, Jesus has a Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A title, Copa do Brasil, Premier League title, and EFL Cup to his name. In two seasons at Manchester City, the forward has scored 21 goals in 43 games for a strike rate close to a goal every other game.
He has already played an extraordinary 22 times for Brazil, scoring 10 goals including appearances in every World Cup game for his nation. His skill, pace, and finishing ability are simply breathtaking and a joy to watch.
There is no doubt that Gabriel Jesus has a long and very successful career ahead of him. The young Brazilian simply needs to avoid the pitfalls which come with fame and money which have cut short the careers of other great Brazilian players.
If he can do that, he could easily become of the greatest players to ever grace the football field.
#1 Kylian Mbappe
Age: 19
Market Value: €150 million
Club: Paris Saint-Germain
The most expensive teenager of all time. The second most expensive player of all time. World Cup winner. Ligue 1 winner. The youngest player on this list. The most valuable player on this list. Entry onto the 10-man shortlist for the FIFA Men's Player of the Year. The list goes on.
Kylian Mbappe is simply a sensation. Following his role in helping France lift the World Cup over the summer, comparisons are already being drawn between himself and Pele. The 19-year-old has amassed an astounding 24 caps for France and made 30 appearances for Paris Saint-Germain.
While many believed he would play second fiddle to Neymar at the Parisian club, the teenager arguably outshines the Brazilian superstar. This season he has already scored four goals in three appearances for his club.
It is difficult to see a career path that doesn't include multiple individual awards for Kylian Mbappe. The only real question about his career is whether he will eventually test himself in a more competitive league than Ligue 1 and truly cement a place as one of the greatest ever.
