You batted an eyelid and it was already 2017, wasn’t it? Well, not literally but metaphorically. And what do you know? Nothing has changed. Lionel Messi and the Cristiano Ronaldo are still ruling world football.
However, by 2020, Lionel Messi will be 33 years old and Cristiano Ronaldo will be 35 years old. While they still might be world-class footballers, the chances of them dominating world football are unlikely. And not only Messi and Ronaldo, most of the stars of today’s football will be past their prime with the current youngsters taking their places.
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Around the world, there are many young footballers who are on the brink of greatness. These footballers are full of potential and while it’s difficult to fathom the future we have attempted to list 11 players who could be in the World XI line-up in 2020.
Goalkeeper - David De Gea
When David De Gea first arrived in England, everyone wondered if he was physically strong enough to survive in the much more rigorous Premier League. However, it was just a matter of time and garnering enough experience until he showed his true capabilities.
Over the last few seasons, he has won United a lot of points by making some crucial saves. While his shot-stopping abilities were never in doubt, the Spaniard has improved massively in collecting the ball from dangerous crosses and in one on one situations.
Another aspect on which he has worked a lot is his ball distribution. De Gea is adept at picking out the big men in his team and starting off counter-attacks. He is not afraid to put his body in between and has pulled off several stunning saves with both his legs and arms.
He has been United’s most consistent player over the last few years, winning the club’s player of the season trophy three consecutive times. The 26-year-old is already considered one of the best goalkeepers in the world, and if that save against Liverpool off Phillippe Coutinho’s venomous shot was anything to go by then, in three years he will be the greatest.
Honourable Mention: Jan Oblak
Right back - Hector Bellerin
Since making his Arsenal debut away at Borussia Dortmund, in 2014, Hector Bellerin has improved exponentially. While it was obvious that he possessed great pace and attacking dynamism, his overall game has significantly developed over the last two years.
On the attack, Bellerin is not just about speed. He has impressive ball control and is not afraid of pulling up a few tricks to run past the opposition. Another important aspect is his willingness to cut inside if the right winger is already stationed wide. He is calm and composed in possession and more often than not makes the right pass.
His defensive side has also developed a lot as he played more often in the first team. In his first few months, Bellerin was uncertain of his positioning on some occasion but now he is a fine defender. Rarely, you will see the opposition are able to go past him.
And then there is the odd occasion when the Spaniard’s tackling becomes vital for Arsenal. Bellerin’s speed allows him to act as something of a sweeper in the central position, a quality that is not very common among full-backs. The 21-year-old still has a long way to go, but if he keeps his head down then by 2020 he will be one of the most accomplished full-backs in the world.
Honourable Mention: Dani Carvajal
Centre back - Raphael Varane
The biggest aspect of Raphael Varane’s game is that you always notice his influence on the field. His qualities have been evident from an early age when he played for Lens. At Madrid, playing alongside the likes of Sergio Ramos and Pepe, he has developed a lot in the last few years.
Varane is incredibly dominant in the air. He is fearless and strong in the tackle and is always the first one to react and recover. What differentiates him from other talented youngsters is his intelligence, game-reading and composure. However, he is still prone to lapses in concentration, that leave him out of position or vulnerably flat-footed. But this will change with time.
The Frenchman’s impeccable decision-making already makes him a very accomplished defender as he is able to stamp out attacks without having to go in for a tackle and dominate attackers without a statistical trail.
In modern football, it is very important to have a ball-playing centre-back and Varane is perfect for that. He loves to go forward with the ball, gaining ground for his team and making quick but accurate forward passes. This is what sets the 23-year-old apart from the rest and in three years he will be dominating the best attackers of the world.
Honourable Mention: Marquinhos
Centre back - Daniele Rugani
The fact that Daniele Rugani is seen as the future of Italian defence speaks volumes of his abilities. Although the 21-year-old seldom plays in the first team at Juventus, he is considered as a vital player. After coming through the ranks at Empoli, his progress has somewhat stalled but it’s only a matter of time before he secures a first team spot.
He is the perfect graceful defender, excellent with his feet. The Italian also possesses a high intellect when it comes to football. An aggressive tackler, Rugani does not shy away from tough challenges whilst also having the ability to avoid unnecessary tackles. For someone so young, he has shown immense tenacity and maturity.
Rugani often deals with threats by relying on his positioning rather than rushing into a challenge. Standing at 6’3”, he cuts an imposing figure at the heart of the defence and is a major aerial presence. Very much like Varane, he has the ability to keep the ball, thus making him a complete defender.
Although, not the fastest on the field he more than makes up for it by his match reading and ability to anticipate threats. In three years, Rugani might just develop into the talent that he has shown signs of so many times.
Honourable Mention: Kurt Zouma
Left back - David Alaba
David Alaba is arguably the archetypal modern player. He is technically sound and equally comfortable anywhere on the pitch. His versatility and immense maturity have helped him become one of the best full-backs in the world already.
The Austrian full-back combines intelligence with power and technical ability in a way that few others have done. The fact that he is strong and fast helps him thrive in his role as a defender. With the ability to recover quickly from any mistake, makes his defensive side as strong as it gets.
Going forward, he is a threat to the opposition. He can cross with his left foot and at the same time can cut in and take a shot with his right. Despite surging forward at extreme speeds, he is a player of pauses – Alaba will deliberate, scan and survey, wait for a teammate to arrive before making the move.
He is a living paradox – moving, and thinking ever so fast and yet the entire game around him develops so slowly. At 24, he is more accomplished than all of his contemporaries and as with all phenoms, you still get the feeling that the best is yet to come. By 2020, he will be dominating the best defender in the world debates.
Honourable Mention: Layvin Kurzawa
Central midfielder - Paul Pogba
Paul Pogba became the costliest footballer in the world when Manchester United bought him from Juventus in the summer of 2016. In the last two or three years, the Frenchman has established himself as one of the best box-to-box midfielders in the world and United did not think twice about breaking the bank to bring in the player.
Pogba is the complete midfielder. While possessing a wide range of tricks in his sleeve, he is also fast for a central midfielder and is always able to find the right pass. Along with that he is incredibly strong and uses his physicality well to hold on to the ball, rarely losing possession.
He also has the ability to take venomous shots on goal that has seen him score from screamers. Pogba is also keen on tracking back to his own penalty box and defend to regain possession. He makes crucial interceptions and is often the focal point for starting off an attack.
The 23-year-old has still a lot to learn and if anything he has got time on his hands. Pogba is sort of a motor that spurs the team and within a couple of years, he is most definitely become the best midfielder in the world.
Honourable Mention: Marco Verrati
Central midfielder - N’Golo Kante
N’Golo Kante is not the kind of player who will score 30-yard screamers or rake up assists. And yet, he is the kind of player that every team in modern day football needs. He works hard – tirelessly, in fact – and is the heartbeat of the team. His relentless, Duracell-powered shifts are crucial for his team’s success.
His stats from last season shows that he never does things with half measures and is never afraid of going into challenges. He averaged 4.7 tackles per game and 4.2 interceptions per game, more than any other player in the Premier League as he helped Leicester City to a memorable title win.
While Kante’s defensive abilities have always been prominent, this season at Chelsea, his offensive game has flourished side by side. He is someone who makes it look like the team is playing with 12 players. With his immense stamina level and work rate, he chases the ball throughout the 90 minutes with the same intensity.
Physically he might not be the most frightening, but Kante knows what he has to do and thrives in his role. Every team needs a player who can break down the opposition attack time and again and the 25-year old is perfect for that role.
Honourable Mention: Renato Sanches
Attacking midfielder - Neymar
Neymar is the darling of Brazil’s football. He has indeed come a long way in a short time, from winning the Puskas award to playing for one of the best clubs in the world alongside Lionel Messi. He continues to rise and rise and that too at an incredible rate.
Widely considered as a star at the tender age of 24, Neymar has constantly shown the world his class and finesse. What sets him apart is he has stayed true to his style even now. Neymar was defined by his tricks and flicks from an early age. Although he is often criticised for disrespecting his opponents with cheeky footwork, the Brazilian elucidates why football is called the beautiful game.
He possesses all the qualities of a complete attacking midfielder. Neymar creates, scores, assists on his own free will. His touch and control are second to none. And add to that his shooting abilities with both feet and the hunger to shine above a team full of stars.
There always has been one Brazilian player every decade who has shone in world football and Neymar is the most recent exponent. While he may not be the best at present, he certainly has what it takes to be one.
Honourable Mention: Kevin De Bruyne
Right winger - Antoine Griezmann
Over the last couple of seasons, Antoine Griezmann has transformed from a talented but unpolished wide forward to a ruthless winning machine. He finished third on the Ballon d’Or list only behind Ronaldo and Messi, and it is only a matter of time before he wins the award.
The French forward is a goal-scorer. His first touch is sublime – any long ball hoofed up in his direction can be brought down with ease and turned into a one-one in a split second. Griezmann is pacey, can easily dribble past defenders and take a wicked shot on goal.
When he is in possession of the ball, he is the hunted but when he is not, he is the hunter. He is at his best during these times when he can run behind defenders or even force them to make errors. He uses his small size to wriggle past defenders with tremendous ball control.
Without being the physically dominating force or the one-trick pony, Griezmann does everything well and some things exceptionally well. It is one of the main reasons why he will win the Ballon d’Or at some point of his career. By 2020, he will be 28 years old, an age that is considered as the prime age of any footballer’s career and Griezmann will rule world football.
Honourable Mention: Ousmane Dembele
Left winger - Eden Hazard
Eden Hazard has already established himself as one of the best wingers in the modern day. Dribbling past defenders, cutting inside the danger zone and finishing off with ease are all second nature for the Belgian dribble-master. And he always seems to make his performances on the pitch noteworthy.
Not just the goals or the assists, Hazard’s work rate is what sets him apart from the other wingers in the world. At Chelsea, he has already proved his worth by leading them to a Premier League title. Although he did lose his form towards the beginning of the previous season, he has reinvented himself this season.
That he did not fade out completely is a testament to the fact that Hazard has the mentality to bounce back from such hiccups. His mazy runs, intelligence, trickery and accurate passing are a treat to the eye. And along with all that, Hazard has the uncanny ability to stand out in a team full of superstars.
By 2020, he will be 28, an age where an attacking player usually hits his prime. It would be safe to say, if not the very best, Hazard will be definitely amongst the top three footballers in the world in two-three years.
Honourable Mention: Anthony Martial
Striker - Marcus Rashford
In 2016, we witnessed the phenomenal rise of the English striker, Marcus Rashford. He made his senior debut at Manchester United after injuries to Wayne Rooney and Anthony Martial and immediately shot to the limelight by scoring a brace in his first match.
In the Premier League as well he started off with a bang by scoring yet another brace and assisting the third in his side’s 3-2 victory over Arsenal. And Rashford has never looked back since. He is versatile in the attacking third and is adept at converting even the half-chances.
What sets him apart from his contemporaries, is that he knows exactly where to be and when to be. Rashford often wanders into either flank to create space and uses his great pace and set of skillset to outwit the opponent. Along with great balance and quick feet he possesses a highly intelligent football mind that helps him thrive.
That he is not physically strong enough is probably his greatest drawback but even Cristiano Ronaldo was a lanky teenager when he first arrived. Given that he is only 19 years old, Rashford will only get better with time and under the guidance of Zlatan Ibrahimovic he will be one of the best in the world in a couple of years.
Honourable Mention: Paulo Dybala
The team (4-2-3-1)
To effectively fit in all the players, the formation chosen is 4-2-3-1. With De Gea as the goalkeeper, the defence need not worry about minor errors. The defence itself is pretty solid with Varane and Rugani manning central defence and Bellerin and Alaba as the full backs. The midfield is quite unique with a defensive midfielder in Kante, who will stay back and allow the box-to-box midfielder Pogba to thrive. The attacking trio of Griezmann, Neymar and Hazard is a treat for the eyes while it’s exciting to have Rashford at central forward.
Reserve team: Jan Oblak, Dani Carvajal, Marquinhos, Kurt Zouma, Layvin Kurzawa, Marco Verrati, Renato Sanches, Ousmane Dembele, Kevin De Bruyne, Anthony Martial, Paulo Dybala
