Top 20 Young Footballers for 2008
Also See: Top 20 Young Footballers to Watch in 2009.
Few years, like 2007, can claim to have served as the launching platform for many of the talented youngsters football has to offer.
From Cristiano Ronaldo to Cesc FÃ bregas, passing by Giovani Dos Santos and Bojan Krkic, through to Karim Benzema and Alexandre Pato, not forgetting of course Lionel Messi: while some have used 2007 to confirm expectations and firmly establish themselves as the stars of today (and many many tomorrows), others have just recently exploded onto the football scene, with good promise that 2008 will be even more exciting to follow as the previous year.
Well-known and popular tabloid newspaper The Sun takes a look at the ‘Ones to watch in 2008′, a Top 20 of the Best Youngsters on the football scene. Who knows… in a short time, most of these players might very well deserve their own individual article (some of them already do). Let’s have a look…
The past 12 months have seen the emergence of some of the brightest young talents in world football.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Cesc FÃ bregas and Lionel Messi transformed themselves into world-class performers during 2007. Ronaldo, 22, and Messi, 20, were named as runners-up to Kaká in the FIFA World Player of the Year awards and FÃ bregas, 20, has helped turn Arsenal in to genuine Premier League title contenders.
But who will be the stars of 2008? SunSport profiles 20 players who are set to make their mark on the beautiful game.
Note that this is NOT a ranked list; the players have been listed in alphabetical order for simplicity.
Also note that there undoubtedly are players who deserve to be on this list, but who have been forgotten by The Sun‘s authors. Feel free to make suggestions in the comments section. I’ll get you started: Gareth Bale, Ãngel Di MarÃa… or even Ezequiel Garay, Markel Susaeta, Yoann Gourcuff (suggested by Hugo Steckelmacher)… or Jozy Altidore, Anderson (suggested by Ahmed Bilal)… have your say!
You can also check out our World Soccer Magazine’s Top 50 Most Exciting Teen Footballers article here on Soccerlens.
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| Sergio Agüero | Age 19 | Striker | . Atletico Madrid . |
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Yet another Argentine youngster who has been tagged “the next Maradona”. Aguero joined Atletico Aged just 17 in June 2006 from Independiente for a club-record fee of £15.75m. Struggled to cope with the pressure in his debut season but has already scored 12 goals in 22 games this term. | |||
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| Ever Banega | Age 19 | Midfielder | . Boca Juniors . |
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Classy holding midfielder who has been linked with moves to some of Europe’s biggest clubs. Took over the holding role for Boca when Fernando Gago joined Real Madrid last year and formed a strong partnership with Juan Román Riquelme as the Argentine giants won the Copa Libertadores — South America’s answer to the Champions League. | |||
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| Karim Benzema | Age 20 | Striker | . Lyon . |
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Came through the ranks at Lyon and has caught the eye of Arsenal, Real Madrid and Juventus after scoring 12 goals in 16 matches this season. Made his international debut for France in March and has netted three times for Les Bleus in eight games. Arsene Wenger described him as “an immense revelation”. | |||
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| Breno | Age 18 | Defender | . Bayern Munich . |
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Brazil Under-20 skipper who will join the German giants on January 1. Bayern paid São Paulo around £8.5million for the skillful central defender. Ex-Brazil and Bayern striker Giovane Élber described Breno as “an absolutely stunning prospect” after he agreed his big-money move. | |||
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| Macauley Chrisantus | Age 17 | Striker | . Hamburg . |
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Manchester United, Tottenham, Arsenal, Manchester City were all interested in signing Chrisantus after his exploits at this year’s FIFA Under-17 World Cup. The scintillating striker fired seven goals in seven games and was the top scorer as Nigeria won the competition. Joined Hamburg in November 2007. | |||
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| Denilson | Age 19 | Midfielder | . Arsenal . |
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Brazilian star who is a regular fixture in the Gunners’ youthful Carling Cup sides. Bought from São Paulo in August 2006 for £3.4m despite just four starts for the club. All-round midfielder who is comfortable going forward but also a tenacious tackler. | |||
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| Lorenzo De Silvestri | Age 19 | Defender | . Lazio . |
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Talented full-back who has been tipped as a future Italian international. De Silvestri will be a target for Roma, Juventus and Arsenal in January as he will be available on a Bosman when his contract expires in the summer. Made his Champions League debut in August and has made 12 appearances so far this season. | |||
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| Franco Di Santo | Age 18 | Striker | . Chelsea . |
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Argentine wonderkid who will join the Blues in January for £3.4m from Chilian side Audax Italiano. Like Lucas Leiva at Liverpool, he holds an Italian passport and will be able to play for the Blues immediately. May struggle to break into Avram Grant’s star-studded team but should earn a few run outs in cup competitions in 2008. | |||
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| Giovani dos Santos | Age 18 | Striker | . Barcelona . |
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Came to prominence in 2005 when he was one of stars of the Mexico team that won the FIFA Under-17 World Cup. Has been a regular feature for Barca this season and has managed to keep Ronaldinho out of the starting XI. Already has four caps for Mexico. | |||
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| Stevan Jovetic | Age 18 | Striker | . Partizan Belgrade . |
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A £7m target for Manchester United after becoming the top scorer in the Serbian league with 11 goals. Was named captain of the Montenegro Under-21 side aged just 17 and has already made his full international debut. A creative striker who likes to drop deep and run at defenders. He is also a deadly-accurate finisher. | |||
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| Bojan Krkic | Age 17 | Striker | . Barcelona . |
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Hailed as Spain’s answer to Lionel Messi by Barca fans after scoring over 800 goals in the Catalan club’s youth teams. Broke the record as the youngest ever player to feature in a Champions League match in September 2007. A month later, he became Barcelona’s youngest La Liga goalscorer. | |||
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| Toni Kroos | Age 17 | Midfielder | . Bayern Munich . |
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Named player of the tournament at the 2007 FIFA Under-17 World Cup and has already made his Bundesliga and European debuts for Bayern. A creative, goalscoring midfielder, Kroos shone at youth level for both club and country. Bayern general manager Uli Hoeness has already earmarked him for the revered No10 shirt. | |||
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| Lucas Leiva | Age 20 | Midfielder | . Liverpool . |
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Signed for the Reds in the summer from Copa Libertadores finalists Gremio after winning the Brazilian Footballer of the Year award. Likened to Steven Gerrard before his move to England, the box-to-box midfielder has already featured heavily in Rafa Benitez’s side and should be a key player in 2008. | |||
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| Lulinha | Age 17 | Midfielder | . Corinthians . |
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Transfer target for Italian champions Inter Milan after starring for Brazil’s Under-17 side. Scored 12 goals in seven matches during the South American U-17 Championships before being one of the stars of the 2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup. The tricky attacking midfielder has an eye for goal and is already being touted as the long-term successor to Ronaldinho. | |||
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| Alexandre Pato | Age 18 | Striker | . AC Milan . |
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Known as ‘the duck’, Pato shot to fame when AC Milan shelled out £15m for his services in the summer — despite rules stopping him from playing until January 3. Milan have high hopes for Pato, with president Silvio Berlusconi claiming he expects the youngster to score 30 goals between January and the end of the season. Brazil coach Dunga has dubbed him “the new Ronaldo”. | |||
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| Gerard Piqué | Age 20 | Defender | . Manchester United . |
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Returned to United this season after a successful loan spell with Real Zaragoza. The ex-Barcelona youth product showed huge potential during his year in Spain and is expected to feature regularly for the Red Devils in 2008. Has played nine times this season, including the Champions League matches with Roma and Dynamo Kiev. | |||
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| Ivan Rakitic | Age 19 | Midfielder | . Schalke . |
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Niko KranjÄar and Luka Modrić may have ended England’s Euro 2008 qualifying hopes but new Three Lions boss Fabio Capello will have to watch out Rakitić in 2008. The Swiss-born attacking midfielder is the latest Croatian star to catch the eye and was snapped up by German champions Schalke in the summer. | |||
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| Adel Taarabt | Age 18 | Midfielder | . Tottenham . |
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Young French midfielder who has established himself as a regular member of Spurs’ match-day squad. Compared to Zinedine Zidane before his move to North London, the left-footed trickster has already wowed the White Hart Lane faithful with his ambitious runs and long-range strikes. | |||
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| Carlos Vela | Age 18 | Striker | . Arsenal . |
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The Gunners snapped up Vela after he finished top scorer in the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in 2005 — a feat that Cesc Fabregas achieved two years earlier. The Mexican has been on loan in Spain for the past two seasons and will return to North London in January. An exciting prospect who should make his Arsenal debut this term. | |||
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| Theo Walcott | Age 18 | Striker | . Arsenal . |
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Joined the Gunners from Southampton for £5m in January 2006 and shot to fame when he was called up to England’s 2006 World Cup squad aged 17. Scored the opening goal in last season’s Carling Cup final and is a regular at Under-21 level for the Three Lions. Should return to the Fabio Capello’s England squad in 2008. | |||
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Marco Pantanella writes for the mCalcio blog
Football News 24/7
what about Cesc? or is he considered a mature player
December 29th, 2007 @ 22:07where is scott sinclair?
December 29th, 2007 @ 22:21its only players who havent made a big impression on world football Fabrageas is already well known by all football fans
December 29th, 2007 @ 22:28Yeh sinclair should really be on there
December 29th, 2007 @ 22:30Cesc isn’t considered young really..
December 30th, 2007 @ 01:55Marco:
Very good work.
I agree with Ahmed with regards to Jozy Altidore. He is 18, and plays for the New York Red Bulls. He has power, pace, technique, and he seems to be a very mature young man.
He contributes to a football blog for the New York Times:
http://goal.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/12/20/jozy-altidore-home-for-the-holidays/
December 30th, 2007 @ 02:43Agbonlahor is a glaring omission. Aston Villa may not be a very stylish team, but they are very hard working and he plays a big part in their success.
December 30th, 2007 @ 05:09How can you forget Inter’s Mario Balotelli.
Look what he did in the Coppa Italia.
He scored 2 goals.
December 30th, 2007 @ 08:54Agbonlahor isnt under 20 is he?
December 30th, 2007 @ 12:10Agbonlahor is 21.
December 30th, 2007 @ 13:09You’re right, my mistake.
December 30th, 2007 @ 14:19Damn.. Gareth Bale anyone??
December 30th, 2007 @ 18:24I CANT STOP LAUGHING AT THE PERSON WHO SAID “what about scott sinclair” HAHAHA WOTTA JOKE!!
Umm i dono why they left out Luka Modric..nd wot abt rossi? he is 20 just like benzema..
December 31st, 2007 @ 03:06Good one Shohan, Giuseppe Rossi’s indeed only 20 and is definitely someone to keep an eye on.
December 31st, 2007 @ 16:41watch out for mario balotelli, superstar in the making
January 2nd, 2008 @ 02:32No Anderson?
January 2nd, 2008 @ 12:21What about the likes of
January 2nd, 2008 @ 12:49kerlon (Cruzeiro),
Sergio Ramous (Real Madrid),
Marcelo (Real Madrid)
Kasper Schemaical (Mancester City)
[...] in top European sides, and some of whom are still very much getting their feet wet. Check out this list to see some of the other names to [...]
January 3rd, 2008 @ 06:00yeah gareth bale is who you need on this list
January 4th, 2008 @ 14:46What about kasper schmeichel, niclas bendtner or nasri !!! Nasri is going to explode man
January 4th, 2008 @ 16:36The new Zidane or Guti.Haz at least
i feel bendtner deserves a place in that list more than walcott..being an arsenal fan,i ve been more exposed to these two…thats y im comparin the two…but walcott does deserve a place when compared to some of the others…taarabt does look an amazing prospect…hope pato makes it big for milan..coz they desperately lack quality upfront…
January 4th, 2008 @ 17:49bojan will be the number 1 centre foward in the world.
January 8th, 2008 @ 12:51i feel you karna, despite i’m a united fan.
January 9th, 2008 @ 13:24bendtner has scored in every competition he’s played in this season, and he’s often used only as a sub – having played only a few set of games as well
i thought john mikel obi of chelsea will be there.And nigeria u-17 player Rabiu Ibrahim.these are great players.
January 17th, 2008 @ 08:10SAMIR NASRI…don’t forget him
January 30th, 2008 @ 12:42hatem Ben arfa…too
January 30th, 2008 @ 12:44Don’t forget ibrahim afellay-psv
February 16th, 2008 @ 17:57reimund manco-alianza lima
What about Sadick Adams of Ashanti Gold / Athletico Madrid he is amazing and is only 17 years old
February 17th, 2008 @ 18:25anderson? nani? guardado? marcelo? aaron?
February 18th, 2008 @ 22:46where is a BALOTELLI,GIOVINCO and drenthe
April 17th, 2008 @ 21:06Kerlon?
May 9th, 2008 @ 07:50Samir Nasri?
anderson?? these players have lots of potential
i think Henri Saivet(France), Gabriel Torje(Romania), Eden Hazard(Belgium) should be on the Chart. Scott Sinclair..hahahahah u make me laugh.
Henri Saivet
Gabriel Torje
Eden HAzard
May 20th, 2008 @ 05:26I think scott sinclair can be a 20 most worst young player.
hahaha
he has no future in Chelsea
May 20th, 2008 @ 05:28HATEM BEN ARFA should not be forgeting likewise SAMIR NASRI
May 24th, 2008 @ 18:15O.Lyon should buy big players that will assist the team to win the uefa champions lesgua .Players like : RONALDINHO,ETO.O,DECO,and e.t.c.
May 24th, 2008 @ 18:39Yeah wat bout Bale !
May 27th, 2008 @ 17:31Frazier Campbell is one to watch bt he plays 4 united so yano !NOT goin anywere haha !
wat age is Anderson hes quality !
ryan babel. looks to hav more potential than lucas. And lucas WILL be quality
May 29th, 2008 @ 14:36Juve twins Tapiolei and Juanildo should really be on there
October 14th, 2008 @ 16:58who said that Scott Sinclair has no future that was wrong because he is a fortunate player to play with big club like Chelsea
October 22nd, 2008 @ 14:17i think that somebody like franco di santo is a good player
October 22nd, 2008 @ 14:30freddy sears nd james tomkins all the way, none of these foreigners
October 27th, 2008 @ 23:44Aaron ramsey, watch his goal for wales U21 vs england U21…. rafael man utd full back…. sergio motta….
November 14th, 2008 @ 02:04Whats wrong with Scott Sinclair? A very good young prospect
November 15th, 2008 @ 15:57wht abt rafael of manu n Tarik ELyounoussi(i don’t think anybody knows dis guy but if given a chance he will play well)
even kriztian nemeth, bale or john bostock
ps i’m a liverpool fan but gt 2 say dis tht rafael has emense potential
November 16th, 2008 @ 13:13RAFAEL,FABIO,WELBECK,POSSEBON
MUFC 1
November 16th, 2008 @ 19:23i think that ljajic and aleksic should be on there 16-17 yr olds getting looked at by manchester united and other english clubs
November 18th, 2008 @ 14:35wat abt the totanham player BALE
December 3rd, 2008 @ 07:13Lucas Leiva is clearly the best player in the world under the age of 20!!!!!
December 10th, 2008 @ 21:37where is jack wilshire
December 17th, 2008 @ 21:43henri saivet
mario balotelli
mamadou sakho
kerlon
kerlon he is a wonderful wonderkid
December 24th, 2008 @ 10:27Kerlon
Toni Kroos?
Mario Balotelli?
Lulinha?
Joao Moutinho? (or is he too old?)
Jozy Altidore?
Samir Nasri?
Ben Arfa?
What about these guys? =/
December 31st, 2008 @ 02:38wheres messi i think hes the best player in the world
wheres solamon kalou ? Great player
January 3rd, 2009 @ 15:12Delph, outsdanding player, well soon to be.
January 16th, 2009 @ 12:40it’s all about adem ljajic and douglas costa
January 17th, 2009 @ 11:06what about jonny evans of man united
January 21st, 2009 @ 01:01erm….. wat about kriztian Nemeth of liverpool? he’s gonna be 1 of the best! and i think Nani of man utd scum should be there.and sergio Aguerro should defo be there. Arsenal’s youth team are wicked but not as good as liverpool’s. joe Hart should be there aswell.
February 9th, 2009 @ 18:51and i think Messi is considered as a mature player now!
February 9th, 2009 @ 18:54Bale is crap now!
February 9th, 2009 @ 18:56Jonathan Franks (19) – Middlesbrough
February 26th, 2009 @ 16:37i fink lulinha shud b there aswell, and a youngster named mohammed lulat. good list though i also fink agbonlahore and insua shud b there. lucas leiva is rubbish !!!
March 1st, 2009 @ 12:32micheal johnson, daniel sturridge, fabio & raf, lulinha,
March 13th, 2009 @ 18:40what about fabian delph of leeds united man u and other premier ship clubs have even been looking at him?? also kerlon amazing skill jonny evans, rafael, the two juve twins, also higuan!!!!!
March 27th, 2009 @ 02:08what about macheda ?
April 13th, 2009 @ 18:26i am a great fan of hasan heki yusuf as i fink he is the only hope english football have. he plays for preston united fc and is an up and cming star with clubs such as manchester united and barcelona fc currently enquiering about him. watch this sapce hasan heski yusuf
April 26th, 2009 @ 16:23where r the likes of jon obi mikel, Anderson, dareen gibson???
May 26th, 2009 @ 01:09i am gonna give just the names of the players.and this
sinclair and altidore? whaaaaaaaaaat???? greece laughs on you hahahahahahha!!!it seems you don’t know much of football.
marek hamsik(napoli)
luka modric(tothenham)
alexander prudnikov(spartak moscow)
matias fernandez(villareal)
pablo mouche(boca)
david santon(inter)
krizstian nemeth(aek athens on loan from liverpool)
marouane fellaini(everton)
alex teixeira(inter)
lautaro acosta(sevilla)
jean paul pineda(palestino deportivo)chile
and from my country
sotiris ninis(panathinaikos)
August 24th, 2009 @ 22:05sokratis papastathopoulos(genoa)
giannis papadopoulos(olympiakos)
panagotis tachstidis(aek athens)
dean bouzanis(liverpool)
they are definetly going to play great football in the best
championships.
some others
anton sosnin(zenit petersburg)
pedro(barcelona)
tevfik kose(ankaraspor)
raul garcia(atletico madrid)
joao moutinho? howold is he?
August 24th, 2009 @ 22:14anton sosnin(zenit)
tevfik kose(ankaraspor)
raul garcia(atletico madrid)
miguel veloso(sporing lisbon)
adrien(sporting lisbon)
christian abarca(colo colo)
don’t know ha?
August 24th, 2009 @ 22:19Guys …
Wat about Aaron Ramsey???
October 1st, 2009 @ 16:20I think he is definitely a star for the future
n ofcourse the number 1 would be allesandro pato
n ofcourse I agree on agbonlahor
he is damn classy
just have real madrid an ull du fyn
August 5th, 2010 @ 23:18Soz abou the coment buv, i wanna i a gud mood wha i mean say wuz wha abou real madrid ant there teeym. they shud be gud in La Liga
August 6th, 2010 @ 08:58