Fifa 19: Future stars announced
- Published
Phil Foden (Manchester City). Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden is regarded as one of the best English players of his generation. He was named as the tournament's best player at the 2017 U-17 World Cup. The 18-year-old has featured 17 times for City this season, scoring three times. His manager, Pep Guardiola, has called Foden a "diamond".
Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid). After selling Ronaldo to Juventus in the summer of 2018, Real Madrid fans needed a new attacking star to worship. Luckily, they might well have found one. 18-year-old Vinícius Júnior was signed from Brazilian side Flamengo for a reported fee of €46 million. The lightning fast winger has already made an impact, playing 15 times for the Spanish giants.
Matthijs de Ligt (Ajax). He's a 19-year-old Netherlands international playing as a centre-back for Dutch giants, Ajax. He's regarded by many as the best up-and-coming defender in world football. With only two senior games under his belt, De Ligt was called up into the Netherlands squad in 2017 at the age of just 17. He became the youngest player to start for the national team since 1931.
Justin Kluivert (Roma). You might recognise this man's name. It's because his dad was a footballing superstar. Dutch legend Patrick Kluivert played for Milan and Barcelona in what was a glittering career. His 19-year-old son, Justin, is on his way to similar stardom. He started at Ajax and got a big money move Roma in the summer of 2018. He's slowly working his way into the Roma team and has even managed to break into the Dutch national side.
Jadon Sancho (Dortmund). Like Foden, Sancho is regarded as one of the best English players of his generation. He made the risky decision to leave Manchester City and join German giants Dortmund in the summer of 2017. The 18-year-old hasn't looked back since and has become on the first names on the Dortmund team sheet. In October 2018, he made his debut for England.
Alban Lafont (Fiorentina). Lafont is only 19-years-old but he's already played 115 times in his short career. He's currently the first team choice at Italian club, Fiorentina. He's been tipped as the long term successor to Hugo Lloris as France's national goalkeeper.
Houssem Aouar (Lyon). If Pep Guardiola calls you 'incredible' you must be pretty good at football. 20-year-old Lyon midfielder, Houssem Aouar, is one of the most wanted young players in the world. He's already played 50 games for Lyon and has scored 12 times.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton). 21-year-old striker, Dominic Calvert-Lewin started his career at Sheffield United. He moved to Everton for £1.5 million back in 2016. In the time since, he's played 63 times for the Merseyside club, scoring 9 goals.
Arthur (Barcelona). When Xavi left Barcelona he left a huge hole in the club's midfield. To replace him, they signed a relatively unknown 22-year-old Brazilian called Arthur for €31 million from Gremio. He's had a massive impact since, and has become one of the top midfielders in Europe. Xavi who?
Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool). England international defender, Trent Alexander-Arnold, is one of the most valuable defenders in the world and he's only 20-years-old. He was a key part of Liverpool's team as they made it to the final of the 2018 Champions League.
Matteo Guendouzi (Arsenal). When Arsenal signed 19-year-old Matteo Guendouzi from French side, Lorient, not many people knew what to expect from a player who'd been in the French second division. But, that hasn't held him back. He's already played 19 times for a new look Arsenal side and is tipped to get a call up to the French national team.
Here are the rest of the future stars. (From left to right) 1. Achraf Hakimi, Dortmund... 2. Rodrigo Bentancur, Juventus... 3. Patrick Cutrone, Milan... 4. Luka Jovic, Eintracht Frankfurt... 5. Davide Calabria, Milan... 6. Dayot Upamecano (RB Leipzig).... 7. Grimaldo, Benfica... 8. Éder Militão, Porto... 9. Ferland Mendy, Lyon.