Five promising players who caught the eye in the U17 World Cup

The FIFA U17 World Cup just concluded in the UAE with Nigeria winning the trophy for a record fourth time, beating defending champions Mexico 3-0 in the final. The tournament was filled with plenty of goals, and saw some dazzling attacking play and a few players stood out from the crowd. Looking unearth some future superstars, there were scouts from plenty of top European clubs including ones from Arsenal and Manchester. So let us look at five players who caught the eye during the tournament, for whom a prosperous future beckons.

Raul Gudino

Raul Gudino

The Mexican shot-stopper was dubbed the “Octopus” after his heroics in the Quarter final penalty shootout win over Brazil. Whilst the game against Brazil was certainly his finest hour, right throughout the tournament, he was as solid as a rock and pulled off some quite marvelous saves to keep Mexico in the game on numerous occasions, before their attack finally came through.

Apart from the two games against Nigeria in which he conceded nine goals, most of which he couldn’t do anything about, he just conceded two goals in the remaining five games and kept three clean sheets in the process. His lightning quick reflexes, high level of concentration and his commanding presence in the penalty box means that he has all the qualities to become a great goal keeper in the not too distant future.

Musa Muhammed

Musa Muhammed

Nigeria’s inspirational skipper led from the front in the tournament contributing three goals and two assists in the seven games, finishing third in his side on the assists chart. What makes his contribution all the more special was the fact that he wasn’t even a forward. Far from it, he was the right back and his rampaging runs caused havoc among the opposing defense right throughout the tournament.

On more than one occasion, there was a passing resemblance to Cafu in his prime, rampaging down the right. Not only was Musa good going forward, he was extremely effective at the back and had a turn of pace, few forwards struggled to match. Although he played all 90 minutes in all seven games, his decision making was so good that he didn’t get a single booking. All of which means that Musa might just be on his way to Europe before too long.

Nathan

Nathan

Brazil’s attacking trio of Mosquito, Boschilia and Nathan was one that served up a treat for the onlookers in UAE and of the three, it was Nathan who looked like the finished product, although he is just 17. Brazil ended the tournament having scored 19 goals in just five games and Nathan was responsible for more than half of them.

Nathan ended the tournament with five goals and five assists from the five games that he played. And more than the numbers, some of the skills that he displayed showed that he has what it takes to set the world on fire. His play-making ability is beyond question, but it is his finishing that sets him apart from the rest. Able to create an opportunity from nothing, Nathan wielded his wand and left everyone mesmerized with his performance, which might just earn him a call-up to the senior side before long.

Valmir Berisha

Valmir Berisha

One of the main reasons why Sweden finished in third place in their debut appearance in this competition was because of this man, Berisha, who scored the goals that led his side to their best ever finish in a FIFA competition for almost two decades. His seven goals in seven games meant that he walked away with the Golden Boot.

It was not just the goals that he scored, but his link-up play with the rest of the attack too, was a joy to behold. The Swedish talisman is sure to become hot property in Europe, with his quick instincts in the box and his eye for goal. Although it is still too early to compare, Berisha has all it takes to join the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrik Larsson as one of the best center forwards to come out of Sweden.

Kelechi Iheanacho

Kelechi Iheanacho

Iheanacho was in the form of his life, as he finished the tournament with six goals and seven assists in the seven games. Those numbers were a major reason in him winning the Silver Boot and walking away with the tournament’s Golden Ball and was without a doubt, the player of the tournament as he set the stage on fire with his silky skills and perfect passing.

Iheanacho started like a house on fire and scored four goals in the opener against Mexico, a side he took a particular liking to as five of his six goals in the tournament came against El Tri. For someone who is just 17, his composure on the ball was outstanding and with a left foot to die for, there are certainly plenty of European clubs, who could do with the services of the promising play-maker who certainly has a bright future ahead of him.