Team of the future: Predicting the world’s best XI in 2025

Left-wing forward: Kylian Mbappe | Paris Saint-Germain

Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe.

When PSG opened their cheque-book to sign 19-year-old Kylian Mbappe for a mind-boggling €180 million, some pundits found it absurd. However, Mbappe met the massive expectations placed on his shoulders and showcased his brilliance to the world in fine fashion.

Mbappe has picked up the highest goalscorer award for Ligue 1 in each of the last three seasons. He's also won three league titles, and 2018 saw him guide France to a World Cup trophy as well.

At just 22 years of age, Mbappe is already PSG's third highest goalscorer in history. He might be moving to the Santiago Bernabeu soon enough if Real Madrid can convince the Parisians to let go of their star.

Wherever he plays, Mbappe will surely dominate and maintain his status as a world-class goalscorer. If anyone can win multiple Ballon d'Ors in the coming years, it will be the French prodigy.

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Center-forward: Erling Haaland | Borussia Dortmund

Borussia Dortmund forward Erling Haaland.

Manning the ranks at Borussia Dortmund alongside Jude Bellingham, Erling Haaland is already a world-renowned striker.

Standing at 1.94 meters with surprising pace for his height, the Norwegian star has taken the Bundesliga by storm. In just 49 Bundesliga games for Dortmund, Haaland has amassed 49 goals, and he doesn't seem to be slowing down any time soon.

His continental appearances for the BVB outfit are also remarkable, with Haaland picking up 13 goals in 12 Champions League games. Dortmund's inability to win the Bundesliga is largely due to Bayern Munich's presence. But if anyone could give the more-fancied Bavarians a run for their money, it would be Erling Haaland.

Only 21 years old and still far from his prime, Haaland is en-route to becoming the best player in the world.

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Right-wing forward: Ansu Fati | Barcelona

FC Barcelona forward Ansu Fati.

Widely regarded as the next Lionel Messi, Ansu Fati is one of the most exciting prospects in world football. At just 18, the star has already picked up Messi's number 10 mantle at the Camp Nou.

Fati joined La Masia when he was just ten years old and rose through the ranks to sign his first professional contract with Barcelona in 2019. The star is notably the youngest player in La Liga history to score and assist in the same game.

Although the wonderkid is placed on the right flank in this list, Fati is quite capable of playing at any position in the final third.

The Spanish international was injured through much of last season. But he's come back from his spell on the sidelines and has already scored two goals in just three league games for Barcelona. How Fati will expand on Messi's legacy in Barcelona is yet to be seen, but he's clearly on his way to becoming Barca's key star.