Ranked: The 10 best young players at the World Cup gallery - including Jude Bellingham & Gavi
Ranking the top 10 players under the age of 23 at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar - including Birmingham City fan and former star Jude Bellingham.
The FIFA World Cup is well and truly underway in Qatar and plenty of young stars have already taken centre stage. Former Birmingham City man Jude Bellingham is one of these, as he was arguably the best player on the pitch when England swept Iran aside by six goals to two in their Group B opener.
Over the decades there have been some incredible individuals who have made themselves known to football fans across the planet from their performances at World Cup tournaments. The likes of Pelé in 1958, Diego Maradona in 1982 and Kylian Mbappe in 2018 are some of those to have impressed in the past.
There is still plenty of time for yet more young guns to come through at the 2022 instalment of the planet’s most renowned football competition, and Bellingham isn’t the only one to do well so far. Barcelona midfield pair Gavi and Pedri played exceptionally well as Spain thrashed Costa Rica 7-0, for instance.
As the rest of the group stage and the knockout rounds are still ahead, we may yet see some even better displays from the next generation. With that in mind, we have taken a look at the top 10 players we believe will shine at the World Cup this year. All of those listed were aged under 23 at the start of the tournament.
1. Vinicius Junior, 22 - Brazil
He has already become a key player for Brazil despite his tender age and is one of the best at club level for Real Madrid as well. Last season, Vinicius scored 22 goals and contributed 20 assists in 52 games and netted the winning goal in Los Blancos’ Champions League final win over Liverpool. Should star alongside Neymar for Brazil.
2. Jude Bellingham, 19 - England
Perhaps controversial to put him so high up in this list, but Bellingham really does have it all. The reason he wears the number 22 - the fact he is a 4, 8 and 10 all in one - has been emphasised already in this World Cup and he has completely transformed England’s midfield. At 19, he is already a key player - and a really good leader, too.
3. Pedri, 19 - Spain
It’s scary to think Pedri is still just 19 - albeit two days off turning 20 at the time of writing - as it feels he’s been around for a long time already. Since signing for Barcelona from Las Palmas in 2020, Pedri has become a key player from the moment he arrived, playing an exceptional 93 matches in all competitions. Having starred in Spain’s opener of this World Cup, it seems he will continue his fine form in Qatar.
4. Phil Foden, 22 - England
Often talked about one of the very best players in the Premier League for good reason, let alone at an under 23 level, Foden is another young Three Lions star with sky-high potential. Pep Guardiola once said Foden was better than Lionel Messi at his age, and although he hasn’t reached the Argentine’s heights, he is deservedly the holder of the Young Premier League Player of the Season award.