Top 10 footballers who have scored at the FIFA U-17 World Cup and the FIFA World Cup

#2 Francesco Totti

Totti helped Italy win the 2006 World Cup

One of Italy’s finest footballers, Totti played for Italy at the 1993 FIFA U-17 World Cup and scored the Azzurri's only goal of the tournament in their opener against Mexico. Italy ended last in their group and were knocked out of the competition.

Totti later made his debut for Italy in 1998 and played a key role in the Azzurri reaching the final of Euro 2000. Two years later, Totti played his first World Cup where he was controversially sent off in Italy’s 2-1 defeat to South Korea in the last 16. After a disappointing Euro 2004, he played in the 2006 World Cup.

Totti was in fine form throughout the tournament despite concerns regarding his fitness. He scored Italy’s last-gasp winner from the spot in their round of 16 encounter against Australia. Italy won the tournament and Totti recorded the most number of assists (4) in the tournament alongside Andrea Pirlo, Juan Roman Riquelme, Bastian Schweinsteiger, and Luis Figo. Totti eventually retired from international duty following the tournament.

#1 Ronaldinho

Ronaldinho helped Brazil win the U-17 and FIFA World Cup in 1997 and 2002 respectively

Ronaldinho is one of the few Brazilian footballers who has played for the side at every youth level. In 1997, Ronaldinho played for Brazil at the U-17 World Cup in Egypt where he scored two goals, both from the spot. His first goal of the tournament came in Brazil’s tournament opener against Austria which they won 7-0, their joint-highest win at the U-17 World Cup (having attained this victory a decade later against New Zealand).

Ronaldinho’s second goal came in Brazil’s 4-0 drubbing of Germany in the semi-finals. Brazil went on to win the World Cup by defeating Ghana 2-1 in the final and Ronaldinho was awarded the Bronze Ball.

Three years later, the attacking midfielder would play in his first senior World Cup in Japan and South Korea where he once again scored two goals and as many assists. His first goal was a spot kick against China and his second was a looping free-kick against England in the quarter-finals. Brazil won the tournament by defeating Germany 2-0 in the final and this time, Ronaldinho was named in the Team of the Tournament.