There are a few footballers who describe their eras at any given time. However, we must accept the fact that finding players for the future is one thing but developing that talent into a world-class prospect is something else. We hear lots about the 'next Messi,' and 'next Ronaldo,' but the truth is also that athletes of that quality are hard to come by. So many individuals have the potential to be superstars, but not enough of them get the professional guidance and assistance to help them reach their full promise. Here, we have picked the potential players who could rule world football next decade.
Young players who have the talents to rule world football near future
8) Joao Felix
Joao Felix became the fourth-most expensive player in history when he arrived at Atletico Madrid in the 2019 summer window from Portuguese club Benfica for a whopping €126 million as a replacement for French forward Antoine Griezmann.
Despite some injuries and setbacks, the 21-year-old striker has already shown flashes of his immense potential that should propel him to the top.
Felix appears to be a player who will make something happen every time he touches the ball. He has the potential to become a prolific scorer as he possesses exceptional speed and dribbling ability.
7) Lautaro Martinez
Lautaro Martinez has already become a very important member of Inter Milan squad since joining from Racing Club for €22.7 million in 2018.
Barcelona are keen to sign Martinez as a long-term replacement for Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez. The Catalan club will have to pay €111 million if they want to bring him at Camp Nou.
For the national side, Lautaro Martinez has scored 11 goals in 21 appearances including a hat-trick against Mexico in September 2019.
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6) Jadon Sancho
In pursuit of regular playing time, Manchester City's one of the brightest prospects Jadon Sancho joined Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2017.
The charismatic winger has already impressed the footballing world with his skill since moving to German club Dortmund. Sancho has scored 3 goals in 18 matches since made his international debut for England in 2018. He will surely be one of the most talked-about players in the football world.
5) Matthijs de Ligt
A special talent from renowned dutch club Ajax, Matthijs de Ligt joined Juventus for €75 million in 2019. He is one of the finest talents in the young generation of footballers.
De Ligt is a tall and physically strong center defender. He also has great passing skill and pace to force the opposition striker into trouble. If De Ligt continues to develop next 2/3 seasons, he will be a hot property for Europe's elite football clubs.
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4) Frenkie de Jong
Like Matthijs De Ligt, another young talent Frenkie de Jong made an incredible contribution to his club Ajax Amsterdam in the 2019 season.
All the big European clubs wanted to sign him following his great performance with AFC Ajax in the 2019 season but the promising midfielder picked FC Barcelona as his preferred destination.
De Jong's footballing ability has amazed everyone at Barcelona. No doubt, his inclusion has given noteworthy dynamism to the Barca midfield. He could be a long-term solution in place of Sergio Busquets.
3) Gianluigi Donnarumma
AC Milan's young talented goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma is considered to be the next Gianluigi Buffon of Italy. At the age of only 22, he has already made more than 200 appearances for the Rossoneri side.
Donnarumma made his international debut for Italy in 2016 and has represented his country on 22 occasions. He has a bright future ahead of him and will be among the great goalkeepers next 15 years if he can keep himself free from injury.
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2) Erling Braut Haaland
Tall and stout forward Erling Haaland has been in a great run of form since joining Borussia Dortmund from Red Bull Salzburg in summer 2020.
The 20-year-old Norwegian international has amazed the footballing world after becoming the youngest ever to score 20 Champions League goals in just 14 appearances. Overall, he has scored more than 100 goals in 150 plus appearances, an astonishing figure indeed.
All the big European clubs wanted to sign him as he confirms plenty of goals wherever he goes. Since made his debut for Norway’s international side, he has scored 6 goals in 7 appearances. Haaland will be one of the blockbusters forward next decade and has the potential to win multiple Ballon d'Or awards.
1) Kylian Mbappe
Almost everyone is agreed that the French international Kylian Mbappe is the next biggest superstar in football after the Messi-Ronaldo era.
He won Fifa World Cup for France in Russia 2018 and has already won multiple league titles with PSG (Paris Saint-Germain). Kylian Mbappe has scored 150 goals at club levels and for France, he has scored 16 goals in 39 appearances.
He is a magnificent runner with the ball and a genuine finisher. He also possesses the technique to puzzle the defenders. Every giant European club wanted to sign Mbappe to strengthen their forward line-up but PSG has no intention to sell their hottest property at any cost.
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Bottom Line
A young player who excels in a particular area beyond their age is regarded as incredible talent. Nothing is preordained. To reach a level where you are regarded as a dominant force of your era it requires real excellence and a massive amount of effort. But who will carry the flag among the younger generation? Certainly, the above-mentioned players have the potential to rule world football next decade.
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