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The late 2010s saw the rise of many talented young footballers who look set to rule the global scene for some time to come. These players have earned big money moves and have played at the highest level already, despite their tender years.
Many of the stars born in 2000 first came into prominence at the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup in India and the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Poland. From these age-grade tournaments, they managed to create an awareness about their talents and have lived up to the hype they generated.
They have also shone for the clubs they have been a part of, helping them succeed on a European level.
Without further ado, here is a list of the five best players born at the start of the millennium in 2000.
#5 Jadon Sancho
Manchester United and England winger Jadon Sancho created a pathway for young players early in his career. Seeing no real path to first-team football at Manchester City, the 17-year-old winger opted to move to Borussia Dortmund in 2017. It was in Germany that the winger made his name as one of the most exciting English talents in a long time.
Sancho made an immediate impression at the Westfalenstadion, prompting the club to include him in the first team. The tricky winger performed brilliantly for Borussia Dortmund, racking up 137 appearances for the club and contributing 50 goals and 64 assists.
He became a major creative force in Germany and earned his first Three Lions call-up aged only 18 in 2018. He was runner-up for the 2019 Kopa Trophy behind Matthijs De Ligt.
He was also a part of the Young Lions squad that won the U-17 World Cup in 2017. He played three games in the group stage of the competition.
Sancho's rapid development at Borussia Dortmund prompted a number of English-trained youngsters to move to Germany, including Jude Bellingham and Jamal Musiala.
The winger earned a £73 million move back to the Premier League in 2021 after Manchester United secured his services. However, he is yet to hit the ground running as he has only scored once in 17 appearances in the league this season.
#4 Phil Foden
For Pep Guardiola to describe a player as the most talented he has ever managed, they must indeed be special. Phil Foden is undoubtedly a brilliant footballer. The 'Stockport Iniesta', as he is known, has become one of Guardiola's most trusted lieutenants at the Etihad Stadium.
Foden was England's biggest star at the 2017 U-17 World Cup as he scored twice in the final against Spain.
The midfielder has immense technical ability and understanding of the game. Foden is the youngest player ever to receive a Premier League winner's medal when he won it in 2018.
He has gone on to feature 146 times for Cityzens and has scored 38 goals and made 28 assists. He played alongside Sancho in the Manchester City youth teams before Sancho's move to Germany.
Foden has evolved from being just a midfielder under Guardiola as he has played a number of different roles in attack for Manchester City. He was voted as the 25th best player in the world in 2021 by France Football.
#3 Alphonso Davies
It isn't often that a player from Canada grabs the headlines like Alphonso Davies has. The left-sided player has shown quality and maturity beyond his years since making his professional bow.
Davies made a name for himself as an excellent winger with the Vancouver Whitecaps in the MLS, eventually earning a move to Bayern Munich in 2018. Upon his arrival in Germany, former Bayern boss, Hansi Flick, saw potential in him as a full-back.
Since then, Davies has not looked back and has become one of the most exciting and dangerous full-backs in all of Europe. He has the ability to breeze past players with a combination of his extraordinary pace and dribbling skills. This makes him a tough opponent for any player on the planet.
Davies has enjoyed great success at club and international level and has become an important player for both sides. Davies was included in the FIFPro World XI in 2020, a huge achievement for a player his age.
#2 Vinicius Junior
When Real Madrid splashed €46 million in 2017 on a teenager with limited experience in senior football, they knew what they saw in him. Vinicius Junior has matured and Los Blancos are now reaping the benefits of their investment.
The Brazilian winger joined from Flamengo weeks after making his debut for the club at 16-year-old. His transfer fee set a transfer record for an under-19 player.
The winger endured an indifferent start to life in Madrid as he failed to really shine until the arrival of Carlo Ancelotti in 2021. The Italian manager brought the best out of Vinicius, and the Brazilian is presently one of the world’s best wingers.
His understanding and combination with striker Karim Benzema has helped Real Madrid take a commanding lead in La Liga. Vinicius Junior has 15 goals and 10 assists in 30 appearances in all competitions for Real Madrid this season.
Following the signing of Eden Hazard in 2019, Vinicius was expected to play second fiddle to the Belgian but the reverse has been the case.
Vinicius has completely won over his coach and fans. It won't be long before he starts challenging Neymar for a starting shirt in the Brazil national team.
#1 Erling Haaland
Erling Haaland first rose to prominence for scoring nine times in a 12-0 win for Norway's U-20 team against Honduras at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2019. The striker has grown in leaps and bounds since then to become one of the world’s deadliest finishers.
Haaland made his name as a Red Bull Salzburg player when he scored in each of his first five Champions League appearances for the club. He moved to Borussia Dortmund the same season (2019-20) and scored a hat-trick on his debut for the club.
The Norwegian striker has 80 goals and 21 assists in 79 matches for Borussia Dortmund, and 12 goals in 15 matches for Norway. He has 23 goals in only 19 appearances in the UEFA Champions League, giving him an elite record in the competition.
Haaland was voted as part of the FIFPro World XI in 2021 after a series of brilliant performances for club and country. The striker is expected to move to a bigger club soon, with clubs lining up to secure his signature.
