Ranking the top 10 U-23 players in world football currently

#4 Matthijs de Ligt | Juventus, 21

Atletico Madrid v Juventus: Group D - UEFA Champions League

The fact that Matthijs de Ligt is an indispensable member for club and country at the age of 21 is the most startling example yet of his maturity as a defender.

The Dutchman was the captain of the Ajax side that reached the semi-finals of the Champions League in the 2018-19 season and stood out in a team that contained other star players like Frenkie de Jong, Hakim Ziyech and Donny van de Beek.

De Ligt is very comfortable with the ball at his feet and is capable of starting plays out from the back, having started his career as an attacking midfielder. Additionally, the 21-year-old is dominant aerially and is known for his clean tackling and positional sense.

Juventus broke the bank to secure his signature last summer and the move has paid dividends for them already, as the towering defender played a pivotal role in their Serie A success in the 2019-20 season.

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#3 Jadon Sancho | Borussia Dortmund, 20

Borussia Dortmund v Tottenham Hotspur - UEFA Champions League Round of 16: Second Leg

Hailed as one of the biggest matchwinners in world football, Jadon Sancho is coming on the back of his most productive season as a senior pro. The tricky winger led from the front, as Borussia Dortmund once again finished in the top four and secured a spot in the Champions League next season.

Sancho is known for his crossing ability, flair and ball control, while is also capable of scoring goals and creating them in equal measure. The assists king of the Bundesliga, as he is fondly referred to, is one of the most sought-after players in Europe, with Manchester United leading the race to secure his signature this summer.

The Red Devils have been told that they will need to break the British transfer record to sign the 20-year-old and it remains to be seen if his big-money move to Old Trafford comes to fruition this summer.

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#2 Trent Alexander-Arnold | Liverpool, 21

Watford FC v Liverpool FC - Premier League

Trent Alexander-Arnold, at the age of 21, has already won the Premier League and the Champions League with his boyhood club and is all set to make the right-back spot his own for a decade. The young Scouser is one of the most gifted footballers of his generation, with Jurgen Klopp's side relying on him for the creative spark more often than not.

Blessed with an incredible ability to cross the ball, Alexander-Arnold's technique has been compared to that of David Beckham's. Additionally, the Englishman is also a set-piece specialist, making him an indispensable member for club and country.

The Liverpool right-back holds the record for most assists by a defender in a single Premier League season, having recorded 13 in Liverpool's outstanding title victory in the 2019-20 campaign.

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#1 Kylian Mbappe | Paris Saint-Germain, 21

Club Brugge KV v Paris Saint-Germain: Group A - UEFA Champions League

Kylian Mbappe unsurprisingly tops the list, having made a name for himself as one of the best players in the world despite being just 21 years of age.

The Frenchman is one of the most feared attackers of his generation and has drawn comparisons with Thierry Henry and Ronaldo Nazario for his style of play, while he has also been compared to Brazilian icon Pele for accomplishing so much at such a young age.

The 21-year-old is a gifted finisher in front of goal, while he has also been lauded for his electric pace and off the ball movement. Having won a league title with Monaco, Mbappe secured a record-breaking move to Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2017 and has since then become a key player for the club.

The Frenchman was also a standout player in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, as he spearheaded Didier Deschamps' side to the biggest prize in world football. Mbappe is by far the most gifted footballer of his generation and looks set to shape a new era in world football.

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