#4 Exciting Youth
“Players like Lahm, Schweinsteiger and Podolski developed a lot during the tournament in 2005. One year later at the World Cup, they were indispensable,” said Germany’s coach Joachim Low, explaining the effect of the tournament on three future German legends. Truer words have never been spoken as history is witness to the fact that the Confederations Cup has always been a proving ground for young and upcoming stars.
From Ronaldinho in 1999 to Neymar in 2013, a number of rising stars have used this platform to announce their arrival on the world stage.
Portugal today boasts of some of the most promising youths in the world. At the full back positions, they have Raphael Guerreiro and Nelson Semendo who were crucial throughout the season for their respective clubs. Then there is Andre Silva, who has scored six goals in 2018 World Cup qualifiers so far. His prolifice form for both club and country, in fact, saw his seal a mega deal to AC Milan recently.
And one name which is on everyone’s mind is that of winger Bernardo Silva. Though Kylian Mbappe garnered the most attention for Monaco’s stellar season, Silva was the actual catalyst behind it. His prowess on the right flank helped the club from the principality get past much-fancied opponents like Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund in Champions League whilst helping them trounce PSG on their route to winning the Ligue 1 crown. The question now remains, can he replicate this form with the national team as well? If yes, then be prepared for a footballing treat.
