FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017: Top 5 Spain stars to watch featuring Barcelona, Real Madrid youngsters

The Spanish U17 side came into the World Cup draw as the top seeded team after a successful Euro U17 tournament in which they triumphed over a bitterly disjointed England side. The Spanish sides have always been known for their distinctive playing style of passing and attacking displays.

Over the past decade, Spanish Football has been seen reaching its pinnacle as the senior side won two successive European Championships and the World Cup in 2010. Apart from the success of the senior side, Spain has also been dominant in the U21 and U20 categories and won European Championships in the past decade along with producing few of the finest footballers of this generation, all of whom have graced the pitch for the U17 side.

Spain is a global footballing powerhouse and are firm favourites to win the tournament after already bagging the Euros. We take a look at the top 5 Spanish stars who could be setting the stage on fire during their time in India for the FIFA U17 World Cup with their performances.

#1 Abel Ruiz

The most famous and probably the biggest name playing for the Spain U17 side will be Barcelona man Abel Ruiz. The 17-year-old wonder-kid arrived at La Masia in 2012 and has even drawn comparisons with Zlatan Ibrahimovic with his performances. Ruiz scored 4 goals in his six appearances in his side's winning U17 European Championship campaign.

Ruiz is one of the most exciting young talents in Spain at the moment

He is Spain U17's all time leading scorer with 19 goals to his name and is the captain of the side. He is also set to break the most appearances record for the Spain U17 in the coming World Cup as Ruiz, having already made 23 appearances.

A player who is destined for greatness in Spanish football, Ruiz has an abundance of talent and skill which could make him a goal-scoring machine. With many top European clubs already monitoring him, the U17 World Cup could be the tournament that starts his path to glory.

#2 Mateu Morey

Morey is a top target at right back for many top European clubs

Mateu Morey, 17, is currently rated as one of La Masia academy's brightest prospects. The Spaniard is a traditional right back who packs a mean punch with his crosses. He was a part of the Spanish team that were crowned champions in the recently concluded U17 Euros and finished the tournament with 3 goals and an assist to his name in 5 matches.

Mateu's club future recently came into question when it was reported that he was all set to sign for Bundesliga giants, Bayern Munich. But the deal fell through as the Bavarians, who have long been an admirer of his talents, pulled out of the deal reportedly since the news was leaked before the official announcement.

With 15 international caps already to his name, the defender will be a key figure in the Spanish defence in the U17 World Cup.

#3 Sergio Gomez

Gomez could play a key part in Spain's midfield domination

A tricky and agile player, who is another exciting prospect of the famous La Masia Academy of Barcelona, Sergio Gomez is a top young talent currently in the market with plenty of clubs interested in him including Liverpool. Gomez played 6 matches during Spain's U17 Euro triumph this summer, scoring three goals.

The attacking midfielder has a certain flair about him and has put on impressive performances for both his national side and his club with his attacking intent and dribbles. Gomez could very well be a key attacking presence in this Spanish U17 side as they try to do the double and emulate their senior counterparts by simultaneously holding both European and World titles.

#4 Mohamed Moukhliss

Moha is touted as one of the best players coming out of the Real Academy

Mohamed Moukhliss or Moha, as he is known fondly, plies his trade for Real Madrid and is one of the main midfield powerhouses in the U17 side. The midfielder, who also has Moroccan lineage, is quite an asset for La Furia Roja.

The 17-year-old started all the games for the national side during their U17 Euros and even managed an assist. Moukhliss is considered one of the best up-and-coming players from the Real Madrid squad and while he hasn’t represented the first team yet, his performances for the youth squad have received a lot of praise.

#5 Victor Chust Garcia

Chust was Spain's key man in defence during the Euros

Victor Garcia was a pivotal part of the Spanish back line as they triumphed in the U17 Euros. The central defender managed to refrain from getting a single booking throughout the trophy winning campaign.

The Real Madrid youth player, whom Los Blancos brought in from Valencia in 2012, has been described as someone who is strong, forceful and aggressive in his defensive work with the defender powering through in aerial duels.

If Spanish U17 side want to repeat their European triumph at the U17 World Cup in India, Garcia has to maintain his defensive stronghold and help steer La Furia Roja towards glory.