2020 is shaping up to be a truly excellent year of football. And perhaps the most exciting thing is the breadth of young talent coming in revolutionise the game. Here we take a look at six up-and-coming players who are set to become the future of the sport and in no time will have Infogol bets places on them here, there and everywhere.
Perhaps what is hardest to believe about all of these names is that they are all under the age of 21.
Matthijs de Ligt, Juventus
Poised, powerful, consistent, and skilled – these are all words that describe the sensation that is Matthijs de Ligt. At 19 years old, De Ligt became the youngest ever captain in a Champion’s League knockout game. And at the tender age of 20, De Ligt has already been capped 23 times by the Netherlands. He completed a €75 million switch to Juventus in July 2019, and has so far looked like he is worth every penny with a string of strong performances.
Erling Braut Haaland, Red Bull Salzburg
This Norwegian striker has been touted by some as the ‘next Zlatan Ibrahimović’. At 6’4’’, the 19-year-old is strong and powerful, as well as having pace, a great touch, and, crucially, a keen eye for goal. Haaland has made a strong impression at Red Bull Salzburg since joining in 2019. In the 19/20 season, he has scored 16 goals in 14 games and attracted interest from Manchester United among others.
Gianluigi Donnarumma, AC Milan
It might be difficult to believe, but at the age of just 20, Gianluigi Donnarumma has already played 156 times for Milan. Given the famous longevity of goalkeepers, it is almost frightening to image where Donnarumma could be in five- or ten years time. The potential for him to build a reputation similar to his idol Gianluigi Buffon is definitely there – and that is high raise for a 20-year-old.
Joao Felix, Atletico Madrid
There has undoubtedly been a lot of hype for Joao Felix, and he is the most expensive teenager in the world, having garnered a fee of €137 million for Benfica when he joined Atletico Madrid. However, this hype has been justified. His stellar performances for Atletico have been a joy to behold, and things continue to look bright for this young Portuguese striker who is thought by some to be the successor to Cristiano Ronaldo.
Moise Kean, Everton
It is important to remember that Moise Kean is just 19-years-old. His start to the season for Everton has not exactly been perfect, but his potential in unbelievable and has been on display for all to see. Everton have sacked manager Marco Silva who had struggled to get the most out of Kean. It could be that a new manager can come in and revitalise his career.
Kylian Mbappe, Paris Saint Germain
No list of young talent would be complete without Mbappe. This goal-scoring machine is already one of the best players in the world, and his potential is virtually limitless. Watch out for him to make even more of an impact in 2020.
