Paul Pogba, Cristiano Ronaldo, Eden Hazard and Gareth Bale are all in action for their respective countries in the UEFA European Championships this summer and while they might often decide their team's fortunes in the competition, there are a bunch of players in the shadows who might have the bigger tournament than the aforementioned ones.
Fans love to see their young stars do well in tournaments. When you follow the growth curve of a young footballer rise through the ranks, there's instantaneously a bond with the player. You want him to succeed. You want him to win and when he does something worth praising, you make sure your voice is heard. After all, he's your boy.
Trending
Here's looking at five youngsters in the UEFA European Championships who could really excite and bring the fans to the edge of their seats:
#5 Julian Weigl
A lot of credit for Julian Weigl's season has to go to Borussia Dortmund. The 20-year-old signed from 1860 Munich for around €2.5 million and has since gone on to cement his place in the BVB first team under Thomas Tuchel.
His passing range, ability to make himself free to receive the ball anytime and his vision to continuously find him teammates with long balls soften's Borussia Dortmund's sale of Ilkay Gundagon. He's German, quick on his feet and understands how Borussia Dortmund play – which is not too far from how Die Mannschaft play.
His inclusion in the German national team was not a surprise considering he made 51 appearances in club level this season. For a 20-year-old, that is some feat and for someone who could genuinely improve Germany's midfield, he's but a natural choice on this list.
With Toni Kroos, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Joshua Kimmich and Sami Khedira as contenders for two to three starting spots, Weigl has the upper hand as someone who could open up defenses with quick passes. Keep an eye on the youngster throughout the tourney.
#4 Kingsley Coman
Paris Saint-Germain were too naive to let this young guy to leave on a free transfer. Juventus were too naive to insert a buyout clause in his loan deal to Bayern Munich. The 19-year-old has since captured the limelight with the German club and his subsequent call-up to the national team.
The winger has been exceptional for the German champions this season and could very well influence the French national team with the likes of Antoine Griezmann on the other side. His pace, dribbling ability and smart runs off the ball separate him from a host of other wingers.
With France, he'll prove to be an invaluable asset linking up exceptionally well with the likes of Olivier Giroud, Yohan Cabaye and Blaise Matuidi. Still only 19, he's got a long road ahead of him in terms of development but at the UEFA Euro '16, he finally has the chance to shine on an international stage with the whole world watching.
#3 Dele Alli
What a story Dele Alli has written this season. From League 1 to the Premier League in style. While his technical ability played hugely in his favour, his attitude and approach towards the game led him to a whole different level of performance.
His 'never give in' mindset finally put Tottenham Hotspur on their way to a legitimate title challenge even though they capitulated towards the end of the season allowing Arsenal to overtake them again. Alli's goals and assists for the season gave Roy Hodgson a massive headache given he already had a plethora of midfielders to choose from.
For England, Alli is expected to start in the middle three and likely the one who acts as the main focal point between the defensive midfield and the attack. His link-up play with Harry Kane in club level was always mesmerising and is likely to be allowed to grow into that relationship with the national team.
#2 Leroy Sane
Germany have produced some of the world's best players in recent years. Thomas Muller, Marco Reus, Mesut Ozil, Mario Gotze and Ilkay Gundagon have all captured the imagination of their fans in recent tournaments and there's a new kid on the block who can surpass them all if he continues to develop the way he has in Schalke.
Leroy Sane has everything to be a success in the sport. He's got pace – an abundance of pace – dribbling and the ability to score worldly goals like the one he scored against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League last season. His directness with the ball and confidence when on it gives him the ability to take on and beat defenders with ease.
Linked with some of the biggest clubs in Europe, Sane can only go from strength to strength reminding us fans of a young Eden Hazard or Cristiano Ronaldo. Sane's inclusion in the German national team squad is just a sign of the way the German FA work giving young stars the opportunity to shine on a massive international stage.
Given his profile and performances in the Bundesliga this season, they've made the right move by giving Sane the chance. He could very well be the Mario Gotze of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
#1 Anthony Martial
Almost everybody knows this man's name these days yet just under 12 months ago, when Manchester United were scrambling to find a striker, he was touted as a 'waste of money' and an investment Manchester United would regret.
His performances for the Red Devils this season is completely in the opposite direction. His pace, strength, dribbling and scoring abilities more or less kept Louis van Gaal as the manager of the club till the end of the season.
Having made the jump from Ligue 1 to the Premier League, Martial has proven to people that he's capable of playing with the big boys. He's kept scoring, kept assisting and has remained humble through it all making him one of the signings of the season across Europe.
With France, he's likely to start on the left wing alongside Olivier Giroud and Antoine Griezmann but with the combative midfield the Les Blues boasts of, he'll be able to fully express himself in the tournament and maybe even win it for France. Thierry Henry won the FIFA World Cup for France as a youngster, could be it Martial's year in the UEFA Euro this time around?
