Europe's new crop of idols: Ansu Fati, Sancho, Rodrygo, Haaland...
This season has seen a major breakthrough of a crop of new young talents as Messi maintains his high level with Neymar and Cristiano dipping in form.
The 2019-20 season has already seen a major breakthrough for a series of new and exciting talents with many of Europe's hottest talents still in their teenage years:
Kylian Mbappé (20)
Despite his young age, Mbappe has impressed since breaking through at AS Monaco some three seasons ago. The French striker is now a World Cup winner and the new uncontested key player at PSG eclipsing Neymar. Rumours linking the player with a possible Real Madrid move refuse to go away and with power, speed and a knack for finishing, for many Mbappe is the undisputed leading star name for the future.
Jadon Sancho (19)
One of the most astute business moves from Broussia Dortmund was to secure the services of the English teenager and offer him a professional deal after his spell with Manchester City. The London born player is now a consolidated full England international and one of the leading names of the Bundesliga. His breakthrough in Germany has many Premier League sides preparing future offers to try and lure the winger back to his native England.
Joao Félix (19)
One of the most expensive players in the history of the game with the striker moving from Benfica to Atlético Madrid this summer for a fee of 126 million euro. Yet to hit the heights of last season in the the red shirt of Benfica but has shown flashes of what he is capable of on a major stage. The 19-year-old is already a winner of the UEFA Nations League and a regular in the Portugal side as they look to retain their European Championship crown next summer.
Erling Brut Haaland (19)
The striker is the son of former Leeds United and Manchester City defender Alf-Inge Håland with Erling making the move from Norway's Molde to the Austrian Bundesliga with RB Salzburg. The forward has already bagged 13 goals for the Austrian side in 13 games and has enjoyed the limelight of the Champions League stage when he has already found the net on seven occasions for his team.
Phil Foden (19)
One of the leading starts from England's U-17 World Cup win in India in 2017, the midfielder has taken time to adapt to Pep Guardiola's Manchester City side. The Catalan coach is a beliver in the player's future though, going as far as to say: "I have said many times in press conferences, but maybe not said it in front of him, Phil is the most, most, most talented player I have ever seen in my career as a manager".
Rodrygo (18)
The latest star at Real Madrid is creating plenty of headlines after playing just six games in a white shirt this season. The Brazilian teenager consolidated his place in Zidane's side this mid-week with a hat-trick in the 6-0 home demolition of Turkish champions Galatasaray at the Bernabeú. His fine performances have already been recognised by Brazil national team coach with Tite calling the teenage up for the forthcoming international friendly games.
Martinelli (18)
After having trials with both FC Barcelona and Manchester United it was Arsenal who lured the Brazilian to North London signing with the Gunners in 2017. The teenager is slowly creating a name for himself in front of goal bagging seven goals in seven starts for Unai Emery in both the Carabao Cup and Europa League.
Ansu Fati (17)
The major talking point at Camp Nou this season has been the sudden explosion of Ansu Fati with the teenager. On 14 September 2019, in his first career start, Fati became the youngest player in the history of La Liga to score and assist in the same match, at the ripe old age age of 16 years and 318 days. The striker has made his debut with Spain's U-21 side and Roberto Moreno refused to rule out a place for the player in the full La Roja squad at next summer's Euro 2020 competition.
