The 5 best teenagers in world football currently

De Ligt(L) has shown maturity beyond his years

#2. Matthijs De Ligt (Ajax)

De Ligt is a Dutch central defender who has received his footballing education on the hallowed turfs of Ajax FC. Having played a bit-part role in the past couple of seasons, he is now starting to realise his true potential.

A product of the famed Ajax academy, De Ligt is as elegant a passer of the football as any. In 11 league games this season, he has averaged 66.5 passes at an astounding accuracy of 91%. Ball-playing centre-backs enhance any team and thus, it comes as no surprise that De Ligt has captured the imagination of the footballing fraternity.

Apart from his exploits with the ball, De Ligt is a rock at the back. Blessed with the ability to anticipate the opponent’s next move, he finds himself in position to clear the danger more often than not. Him averaging nearly 4 clearances per game drives the point home.

De Ligt looks destined for greatness and has displayed the characteristics to become the next ball-playing centre-back sensation.

Despite being a teenager, De Ligt has displayed maturity well beyond his years. At only 19 years of age, he has time on his hand to develop into the centre-back his ability warrants.

Hence, he takes the runner up spot on our list.