Top 5 U-23 footballers in the world

#4 Frenkie de Jong

Frenkie de Jong is one of the best young players in the world, with some comparing him to Xavi and Iniesta.

Frenkie de Jong is the complete midfield package. A mesmeric dribbler, a pass master, and solid defensively, the young Dutchman started attracting serious attention from the footballing world whilst still at Ajax.

It soon became apparent last season that Frenkie de Jong wasn't going to be at Ajax for long and much like his teammate Matthijs de Ligt, major European clubs were vying for him. He, of course, joined FC Barcelona for a mouthwatering £64 million to play alongside the likes of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.

Upon joining the club, Barcelona legend Xavi, a player with whom de Jong is often compared, expressed that the young Dutchman "is a footballer who can mark an era in Barcelona," which is about the highest praise one could ask for.

Last season, de Jong won the league title and domestic cup in the Netherlands. Additionally, the Dutchman was awarded Player of the Season, as well as being in the Champions League Team of the Season, and the FIFA Team of the Year.

Whilst his personal statistics may not be equal to the other attacking players on this list, de Jong's influence over the game is undeniable. Whether as a defensive or attacking midfielder, the youngster plays the architect role, dictating the flow of play in a way similar to how the likes of Iniesta, Xavi, and Andrea Pirlo did.