The future is bright! Europe's top leagues boast several teenage sensations within their ranks, some of whom are already playing regularly.
With 2018 coming to an end and Kylian Mbappe finally turning 20, Sports Social takes a look at the top five teenage players in world football right now and to look out for in the years to come:
5. Gianluigi Donnarumma (19) - AC Milan
No surprises here. It is hard to imagine a player with over 100 caps for AC Milan and 11 caps for the national team is still in his teens. Long-term successor to Gianluigi Buffon at the international level, Donnarumma continues to be the best young goalkeeper in world football. With Milan fighting for a spot in next season's Champions League, Donnarumma will be able to showcase his talent on the big stage and announce himself as a world class goalkeeper.
4. Phil Foden (18) - Manchester City
Foden announced himself in world football after scoring twice in the final of the FIFA U-17 World Cup against Spain held in India. There are a few managers who can judge talent better than Pep Guardiola, who has described Foden as “a gift” to his senior squad. Regarded as the “next Iniesta” in England, Pep is the perfect manager as he knows a thing or two about Iniesta during his spell at Barcelona. The young City midfielder has signed a contract extension to 2024 and the duo of Pep and Foden has all the ingredients to be a success.
3. Kai Havertz (19) - Bayer Leverkusen
Kai Havertz is the real deal at Bayer Leverkusen. Leverkusen have a long and proud history of midfielders who can dictate play such as Ballack, Schneider, Kroos and Vidal. And now it's Havertz. Nine goals in 20 games this season, Havertz has proven to be a reliable goalscorer as well. The now 19-year-old became the club's youngest ever Bundesliga debutant at the age of 17 years and 126 days, and he has shown remarkable progression ever since. With the young German wooing the crowds in the Bundesliga, it is only a matter of time before the big clubs come calling (namely Bayern Munich).
2. Matthijs De Ligt (19) - Ajax
Golden Boy of 2018 but second on this list? That's because the player ranked at one has been doing wonders this season but that takes nothing away from the Dutch centre-back. De Ligt became the youngest Netherlands international in almost 90 years when he made his debut against Bulgaria. Already played in a Europa League final, the Dutchman has proven himself against some of the best oppositions and is one of the most wanted defenders in European football. With Barcelona and other top clubs hot on his heels, it won't be long till we see De Ligt in a Champions League final.
1.Jadon Sancho (18) - Borussia Dortmund
With every passing game, Jadon Sancho's stock rises higher and higher. Such has been his impact on every game. It is hard to imagine why Manchester City let go of one of the biggest sensations of world football. With six goals and seven assists to his name in the Bundesliga, little was known of Sancho before 2018 but fast forward to today, he has been instrumental to the revival of Dortmund and looks to have been playing in the top tier for several years now. With a frontline of Reus, Alcacer and Sancho, Bundesliga is Dortmund's to lose now. And there is simply no teenager better than Jadon Sancho in world football right now.
Yes, football is in safe hands!
