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Since the inception of football as a major sport, the game has been emblazoned with many legends. Plenty of greats have made the world their own and made vital contributions to the beautiful game through their vivid and different styles of play.
The current era of soccer is ruled by none other than two giants, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. The duo, along with many other superstars have been entertaining us for over a decade.
But, nothing lasts forever. WIth most big-name players like Robben, Iniesta, Ibrahimovic, Messi, and Ronaldo having crossed thirty, a simple question has started consuming our minds more often. What next after these greats call it a day? What's in store for the game's posterity?
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No worries. Albeit it will be hard to emulate Messi and Ronaldo, the beautiful game has already started churning out superstars for the future. With plenty of wonderkids already trying to make their mark, who is the best among them all? Let's have a look:
NOTE: Only players aged 19 or below are included in this list.
#50 Joe Willock
Age: 18
Club: Arsenal
Position: Attacking midfielder
Nationality: English
Arsenal teenager Joe Willock debuted as a professional football player in September 2017. He represents the England U19 squad on the international level.
Usually deployed in a no.10 role, Willock can also operate on either wing or as a striker in times of need. The young starlet has been gifted with ball control, while his pace enables him to be a threat on counterattacks through the flanks. Also, he has great stamina and fine passing abilities, albeit there is a lot of room for improvement.
For his age, Willock won't find a better coach than Arsene Wenger, who is well-known for his penchant for polishing raw talents.
#49 Joaquin Ardaiz
Age: 18
Club: Royal Antwerp
Position: Striker
Nationality: Uruguayan
Uruguay has a great history when it comes to legendary strikers. 18-year-old Joaquin Ardaiz is the next in line to continue a legacy of lethal marksmen like Edinson Cavani, Luis Suarez and Diego Forlan.
The young starlet made his professional debut in February 2016 before transferring to Belgian outfit Royal Antwerp in 2017. Playing for the U20s, the striker is yet to make it into Uruguay's first team.
Ardaiz is a typical fox in the box forward who's always well-positioned to score goals. He has a crisp left foot and a tall stature reminiscent of Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Good in the air and known for his clinical finishing abilities, the striker is a fan of the Premier League.
England will definitely be home to another exciting prodigy in the coming years.
#48 Andrea Pinamonti
Age: 18
Club: Internazionale
Position: Forward
Nationality: Italian
Andrea Pinamonti plies his trade for Italian giants Inter Milan, after making his professional debut with the club in December 2016. He plays for Italy's U19 team.
A tall striker with an amazing goal-poaching ability, Pinamonti's penchant for scoring goals hasn't gone unnoticed. The Italian wonderkid is an explicit finisher and a threat on corners and set-pieces. He has also earned recognition for his tireless work-rate in the attacking lines.
The Serie A has been losing its talents to other leagues, thus becoming mediocre itself. Andrea Pinamonti represents a great future for the league and will be expected to secure the attack of the Nerrazurri in the coming years.
It is no secret that Italy have lacked world-class strikers since the likes of Alessandro Del Piero and Francesco Totti retired. Could Pinamonti be the answer to the Azzurri's woes?
#47 Lincoln
Age: 16
Club: Flamengo
Position: Forward
Nationality: Brazilian
Although Brazilian sensation Lincoln is yet to make a debut with Flamengo, he has already sent ripples across the football world with his amazing performances in the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
Lincoln has a plethora of potential yet to be unleashed. He has shown sparks of brilliance with his pace, creativity and excellent dribbling prowess. Although he is a prolific centre-forward, the Brazilian is also capable of playing as a winger on both sides. He was one of Brazil's most scouted talents at the U-17 World Cup.
Lincoln has already drawn comparisons to Adriano for his knack of finding the back of the net. With Barcelona and Real Madrid already locked in a tussle to sign him, he has certainly shown the ability to be the next Selecao superstar in the near future.
#46 Moussa Diaby
Age: 18
Club: Paris Saint-Germain
Position: Striker, Winger
Nationality: French
One of the upcoming bright prospects in France, Moussa Diaby has everything that takes to be a world-class wideman in football. Known as the best talent in Paris Saint-Germain's youth ranks, the Frenchman plays for the France U19s and is expected to make a breakthrough in the first team.
Diaby has a deafening pace to show off. Combine that with his dribbling and he becomes an attacker you would rather avoid on the pitch. An inverted winger who likes to cut inside and create chances for his teammates, the 18-year-old has also been lauded for his flair and acceleration which are extremely useful on counter-attacks.
With the likes of Juventus and Manchester City already courting the dynamic winger, PSG will have a tough task at hand in fending off the interest and keeping their gem away from them.
#45 Dujon Sterling
Age: 18
Club: Chelsea
Position: Wing-back
Nationality: English
Dujon Sterling is regarded as the brightest youngster to come through Chelsea's youth ranks in the recent years. The prodigal Englishman has developed into a promising prospect since he joined Chelsea in 2007. Sterling made his football debut in September 2017.
He represents the U19 team for England.
A fast-paced and agile wing-back, the 17-year old has been deployed as a wing-back and a striker in times of need. Regardless of the vast positional differences, the wonderkid has never failed to impress his coaches with eye-catching performances. He has also earned recognition for his passing, marking skills and tackling abilities.
Chelsea's curse regarding youth players at the club is no secret in world football.So, can Dujon Sterling break the jinx and become a legend at Chelsea? Only time can tell.
#44 Dusan Vlahovic
Age: 17
Club: FK Partizan Belgrade
Position: Centre-forward
Nationality: Serbian
Dujan Vlahovic made his professional debut with Partizan in February 2016. On the international stage, he plies his trade for the Serbia U18s.
The 17-year-old bears a stark resemblance to Zlatan Ibrahimovic due to his tall 6ft 3in stature. Calm and composed in front of the goal, Vlahovic has raised eyebrows with his knack for netting goals. He is also is a crucial threat in the air for the opponents. The youngster has also been noted for his stamina during games.
Drawing comparisons with a legend like Zlatan is an achievement for a player of his age. However, the young starlet has a long way to go if he decides to match the mighty Swede.
Already being courted by Arsenal and Juventus, Dusan Vlahovic promises to be one of the best strikers of the coming age.
#43 Aleksander Isak
Age: 18
Club: Borussia Dortmund
Position: Forward
Nationality: Swedish
Swedish forward Aleksander Isak is another of Dortmund's promising talents. The 18-year-old made his football debut for AIK in February 2016, before agreeing to a contract at the Westfalstadion in 2017. On the international level, he earned his first cap in January 2017 against Ivory Coast.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has already called it a day for Sweden and they are in search of a worthy successor. Isak could be the one to fill the greats of the mighty Swede, owing to his flair, finishing and precise movement.
Also, he has earned praise for his dribbling prowess on the pitch. Isak has also been noted for his immense strength and work rate. He can also be deployed on wide positions apart from being used as a centre-forward.
In the years to come, Isak will definitely be leading the attacking lines for Borussia Dortmund.
#42 Yann Karamoh
Age: 19
Club: Internazionale (On loan from Caen)
Position: Forward
Nationality: French
Another French diamond busy trying to make his mark in the game. Yann Karamoh made his debut for Caen in August 2016 before joining Inter Milan on loan the following year. He plays for the France U20s on the international level.
Yann Karamoh is one of the most versatile young forwards currently plying his trade in the French Ligue 1. He can operate in five different positions and also as a no.10.
The Frenchman is mainly noted for his fluency with long shots and his aerial ability during set-pieces. He has a terrific work-rate to boast, along with good crossing abilities. Also, the 19-year-old has a searing pace to show off in his bracket of skills.
There's no doubt the 19-year-old will be one of the most coveted youngsters in the future.
#41 Trent Alexander-Arnold
Age: 19
Club: Liverpool
Position: Right-back
Nationality: English
Trent Alexander-Arnold is an upcoming prodigy at Anfield. An academy graduate at Liverpool, the young right-back made his breakthrough as a professional footballer in 2016. On the international stage, Arnold plays for England U21s.
Being a lanky defender, the young starlet is known for his positioning and marking skills, with pace and stamina also being two crucial attributes of the 19-year-old. He is also well-adept at making crosses for the attackers to score. He has a great ability when it comes to reading the game and orchestrating attacks from the back.
Arnold has already established himself as a key part of Jurgen Klopp's side. With a host of top clubs sure to come for him, Liverpool would do better in tying him down to a long-term contract.
With the Reds trying to bring back their glory days, Alexander-Arnold will certainly play a vital role in the club's future.
