5 prodigies that were at a similar level to Mbappe

Before two months I released a widely popular article 5 teenage sensations that were better than Mbappe. As it will be with every article of this kind, people had many different opinions about included players. But there were few specific footballers that readers wanted to see and I agree with, so it would be logical to make another part.

Kylian Mbappe has stunned the football world in the recent years with his phenomenal talent. He is still 19 but has already won two Ligue 1 titles with two different clubs, been included in FIFA FIFPro XI and become a World Champion with France. There is nothing stopping Mbappe from becoming the best in the world.

But he isn't the first teenager that has made an immediate impact in football. Five young superstars were covered in the first part, let's look at five more.

#5 Patrick Kluivert (Born 1976 / Playing career 1994-2008)

IRELAND V HOLLAND PATRICK KLUIVE — Patrick Kluivert

Netherland's great Patrick Kluivert was a part of Louis Van Gaal legendary Ajax team. The Dutch striker was only 18 years old when he got promoted to the first team in 1994.

Kluivert didn't disappoint - despite his age, he scored more than 40 times in his first two seasons. Starlet's most important goal came in the UEFA Champions League final in 1995 against AC Milan. Kluivert came on at the 70th minute and scored the winner in the 85th. The 19-year-old was Ajax top goalscorer the following season, helping the Dutch side reach the second CL final in a row.

Kluivert left Ajax for free in 1997 to join Milan but just a season later he changed teams once again. He went on to have a successful spell in Barcelona.

His son Justin Kluivert seems to be a football prodigy as well, having already played two games in the Netherlands national team being just 19 years old.

#4 Paolo Maldini (Born 1968 / Playing career 1985-2009)

Paolo Maldini is known as one of the most loyal footballers in history, spending all his career in one club - AC Milan. The legendary defender played in one of the best back fours in football history, winning five European Cup / Champions League and seven Serie A trophies.

What many don't know is that Maldini was already one of the world's best defenders at teenage years. He made his Milan debut at the age of 16 and had played more than 100 games for the side before his 20th birthday.

19-year-old Maldini was called up by Italy for the European Championship 1988. He played every single minute in the group stages and started the semifinal match against the Soviet Union. Young Maldini got included in the team of the tournament.

Even though the loyal defender has won everything he could on a club level, he didn't win an international trophy with Italy. Maldini lost in FIFA World Cup 1994 and European Championship 2000 finals.

#3 Eusebio (Born 1942 / Playing career 1957-1979)

One of the most prolific footballers ever Eusebio spent 15 years and scored more than 450 goals for Benfica.

The Portuguese striker became a star at Benfica rival team's Sporting feeder club - Mocambola. Eusebio averaged almost two goals a game before he controversially signed for Benfica at the age of 18 in 1960. The young striker quickly made his mark for the Lisbon side, scoring in both his first official matches and getting hat-tricks in two friendlies, including against Pele's Santos.

The next season Eusebio scored almost 30 goals and became a global phenomenon. Few months after his 20th birthday, he scored a decisive brace against Real Madrid, winning his first and only European Cup. Three years later Eusebio won the Ballon d'Or but the next summer he helped Portugal get the third place in the World Cup.

#2 Johan Cruyff (Born 1947 / Playing career 1964-1984)

Johan Cruyff is quite possibly the most influential person in football history. He changed the game with his technique as a player and changed the tactical side of football as a manager.

17 years old at the time Cruyff was promoted to one of Europe's best clubs Ajax first team by Vic Buckingham in 1964. The coach described Cruyff as a very mature and skilful skinny young kid. Buckingham famously said: "He showed us how to play''.

Cruyff quickly became a leader for Ajax and scored more than 50 goals as a teenager, helping his side dominate in the Netherlands.

He played for almost ten years in his homeland before moving to Barcelona. Cruyff won three Ballon d'Or awards and four European Cup's - three as a footballer, one as a manager.

#1 Ronaldo (Born 1976 / Playing career 1993-2011)

Brazilian superstar Ronaldo is one of the most talented footballers in history but his career was filled with terrible injuries.

17-year-old Ronaldo was so good that he needed to play only 14 league games for Cruzeiro to earn a call-up for the World Cup in 1994. Brazil won the tournament but the young striker didn't feature.

Ronaldo moved to Europe the following year and joined PSV. He became a worldwide sensation and had two fantastic seasons in the Netherlands, scoring more than 50 goals.

Ronaldo was bought by Barcelona for a world record fee in 1996. He was still only 19 years old at the time. Ronaldo went on to win the FIFA World Player of the year a few months later - no player ever before (or after) had been a teenager in his award-winning year.

After one season Ronaldo left Barcelona and moved to Inter Milan. His time in Italy was ruined by injuries and the Brazilian left after five years for Real Madrid. Ronaldo spent his best years there.

Edited by Sripad