2018 FIFA World Cup: Top 5 teenagers to look forward to

In 10 days, the 21st installment of the biggest footballing event and one of the biggest sporting events in the world will commence. Just like any other edition of the FIFA World Cup, billions of eyes will be glued to the TV sets, scrutinizing their favourite players and hoping that their team lifts the coveted trophy.

Amongst tons of other special characteristics, one unique feature of a FIFA World Cup is the exciting amalgamation of experience and exuberance. While Egypt 45-year-old goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary or host nation Russia's 38-year-old defender Sergei Ignashevich might be playing their last World Cup, there will be many youngsters who will get a taste of grandiosity at the dawn of their career, some being still in their teens. Let us have a look at 5 such exciting teenagers who can impress everyone at the upcoming footballing carnival:

#5 Daniel Arzani (Australia)

The Melbourne City FC player is a crowd's

favourite

The Iran-born teenager, Daniel Arzani is the name on every Australian fans' lips. He had a great season with Melbourne City FC, playing 16 games for them and scoring twice, which forced the Socceroos' coach Bert Van Marwijk to include him in his plans. He has played just one game for his national side, that too coming on as a substitute in the 84th minute, but Van Marwijk found him too talented to be left out of the World Cup squad.

The veteran manager has named his final squad and the 19-year-old is boarding the flight to Russia. Brimming with talent and possessing lightning pace, the winger can be menacing with his down-the-wing runs. He is expected to be injected into the team when Mile Jedinak's men are tired and can play a vital role in Australia's round of 16 dreams.

#4 Francis Uzoho (Nigeria)

Francis Uzoho in action during a friendly match against England

In just 5 matches for his national team, Francis Uzoho has managed to impress Nigeria's German manager Gernot Rohr enough so as to nail his position in the Super Eagles' team. The 19-year-old goalkeeper from Spanish club Deportivo La Coruna initially started as a forward but was wise enough to understand that scoring goals is not his cup of tea, but stopping them certainly is.

The switch came when his age was 12 and there has been no looking back ever since. Uzoho caught everyone's attention during Nigeria's famous 4-2 win against Argentina last year. Ever since then, the other two Nigerian goalkeepers Daniel Akpeyi and Ikechukwu Ezenwa have found themselves on the bench. Placed in a tough group with Argentina, Iceland and Croatia, Nigeria's hopes of making it to the next round will depend on Uzoho's pair of gloves.

#3 Achraf Hakimi (Morocco)

Just 19 years of age, Hakimi (left) has already played 2 UCL games for Real Madrid

While the previous two mentions on this list might not be very famous, but Achraf Hakimi has managed to make a name for himself at the tender age of 19. After impressing his coaches at Real Madrid Castilla, he was promoted to the senior squad so to provide a backup to Dani Carvajal.

The right-back has played 9 games for Real Madrid, two of them being in the UEFA Champions League. He has also scored two goals for the Spanish giants, the first being against a formidable Sevilla. He also has an international goal to his name, which came against Mali. Placed in the group of death alongside his Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal and Isco's Spain, Hakimi will have to put in a lot of effort so as to keep those dangerous men quiet.

#2 Trent Alexander-Arnold (England)

Alexander-Arnold has been phenomenal for Liverpool FC this season

Unlike the previous three names, Trent Alexander-Arnold is yet to play a match for his national side. However, the English right-back is coming from a great season with Liverpool FC, in which he played 19 games and also scored a goal. The 19-year-old was asked to mark Cristiano Ronaldo in the UEFA Champions League final and though Real Madrid defeated Liverpool, the local lad did a great job in marking one of the best players of the current generation.

With the red-hot form that he is in, England's head coach Gareth Southgate found it hard to make a team without him and hence he is flying to Russia. He will be contesting for the full back's role and if given a chance, the nephew of former Manchester United club secretary John Alexander and Liverpool's young player of the season can do wonders for the Three Lions.

#1 Kylian Mbappe (France)

Mbappe in action during a friendly match against Italy

The last name on this list needs no introduction. Receiving a price tag of around €180 million at the age of 18, Kylian Mbappe is what football lovers call 'the next big thing in world football'. French giant Paris Saint-Germain splurged huge amount of money to get his signature and he has not disappointed. In 27 games for them, Mbappe has found the back of the net as many as 13 times.

Mbappe became the second youngster player to represent France, after former striker Maryan Wisnieski. His first international goal came against the Netherlands and has scored two more since that game. Completing France's intimidating front three alongside Antoine Griezmann and Ousmane Dembele, Kylian Mbappe is certainly going to be the best teenage talent to watch out for in the upcoming footballing extravaganza.