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Croatian player Luka Modric's 2018 Ballon D'Or win brought an end to the 10-year duopoly of the game's highest individual accolade by Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Messi and Ronaldo have won every major honour in the game in the last two decades, winning 11 combined Ballon D'Or trophies and three Best FIFA Men's Player accolades, to name a few.
Unfortunately, the era of Ronaldo and Messi is approaching its end, as both players are in their mid-30s. However, there are a few young players on the horizon who are ready to take over the mantle from two of the best players to have graced the game.
On that note, let's take a look at the top five U23 players in the game at the moment.
#5 Ansu Fati
Ansu Fati, the youngest goalscorer in Champions League history, is one of the most exciting players in the game.
A horrific meniscus injury and its severe mismanagement unfortunately restricted Fati to the sidelines for a significant part of the 2020-21 season. In his sporadic appearances last campaign, the wunderkind was hailed as the heir to Messi, following stunning displays for Barcelona, racking up five goals and four assists in 10 appearances.
The Spain international was involved in over 44% of Barcelona's goals in his first five La Liga appearances of the season.
The 18-year-old was tipped to be the perfect foil for Lionel Messi and the spark Barcelona needed going into a season plagued by controversies off the pitch. However, Fati's injury dealt a massive blow to Barcelona's hopes of a strong season.
Nevertheless, Fati is highly regarded for a reason. After progressing through the famed La Masia academy, he has registered 43 appearances for Barcelona, registering an impressive output of 13 goals and five assists in all competitions.
#4 Trent Alexander-Arnold
Young English right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold burst onto the scene during the 2016-17 season and has since established himself as one of the best full-backs in the game.
While Alexander-Arnold has received criticism for his defensive frailties this season, he remains one of the most explosive full-backs going forward. He registered 77 key passes in the 2020-21 Premier League, the most by a defender.
The Reds player donned an integral role in Liverpool's Premier League and Champions League triumphs in the last two years.
Alexander-Arnold is widely regarded for his top-notch performances down the flank, allowing the Reds to spread out play in wide spaces. He is also one of the best crossers in world football.
At just 22, Alexander-Arnold has already laid his hands on a Premier League trophy, a Champions League title, the FIFA Club World Cup and the UEFA SuperCup, and was also a nominee for the prestigious 2019 Ballon D'Or accolade.
In 179 appearances for Liverpool, Alexander-Arnold has been directly involved in 54 goals (10 goals, 44 assists) and is one of the most skilful defensive players in the game.
#3 Jadon Sancho
Former Manchester City academy player Jadon Sancho has set the stage ablaze since his move to the Westfalenstadion.
Most English players have historically preferred to ply their trade at home, but Sancho was one of the few to make the trip abroad in search of regular first-team opportunities.
Manchester City's star-studded squad meant a young player like Sancho was not guaranteed regular game time, which made the Englishman move to Germany in 2017. He soon established his place in the Borussia Dortmund starting XI and has been one of their most prolific goalscorers, along with Erling Haaland.
Sancho missed a chunk of the 2020-21 season due to injury, including both legs of Dortmund's quarter-final against City in the Champions League. In his four seasons with the Black and Yellow, the 21-year old has amassed 50 goals and 65 assists in 137 appearances in all competitions.
#2 Erling Haaland
Erling Braut Haaland is currently one of the hottest properties in world football, showcasing his lethal goalscoring prowess since breaking into the scene less than two years ago.
Haaland rose to prominence after a sensational campaign with Austrian side RB Salzburg and his fabulous exploits in his debut Champions League season. The 20-year old previously rose up the ranks at local club Bryne FK and also represented Molde under the tutelage of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
In his breakthrough 2019-20 season at RB Salzburg, Haaland set the European stage on fire, registering eight goals and an assist in six appearances in his debut Champions League campaign.
After joining Borussia Dortmund last year, the Norway international elevated his game to a higher level. He emerged as the highest goalscorer (ten goals) in the 2020-21 Champions League campaign. Nicknamed 'The Terminator', Haaland is one of the game's most exhilarating prospects.
#1 Kylian Mbappe
Kylian Mbappe is a hot favourite for this year's Ballon D'Or award after a stellar 2020-21 campaign.
The French star is one of the best young players in the game and has reinforced that perception with strong individual performances this season. In 47 appearances across all competitions, Mbappe was involved in 53 goals (42 goals, 11 assists).
The star striker was the top goalscorer in the 2020-21 Ligue 1 campaign and almost single-handedly propelled PSG to the Champions League semi-finals.
Mbappe scored eight goals in five matches leading up to the Parisians' semi-final clash against Manchester City, which they lost 1-4 on aggregate. Previously, he became the first player to score four goals against Barcelona in a Champions League campaign and has lodged more assists than anyone since his debut in the competition in 2017-18.
At just 22, Kylian Mbappe has a long list of personal accolades and titles to his name and is already in the radars of top clubs across the continent.
