Ranking the top 50 wonderkids in football (10-1)

The wait finally ends! Welcome back to the wonderkids series where we are currently looking at the talents who are expected to safeguard the quality and future of the beautiful game.

An urge to delve into the future becomes even more necessary when you look at the ages of the current superstars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Arjen Robben and many more. But today, we can finally see the wonderboys who could eventually be capable of filling the boots of these legends.

To have a look at our previous forty young starlets, visit the links below:

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#10 Justin Kluivert

Justin Kluivert has the legacy of his father to compete with

Age: 18

Club: Ajax

Position: Right-wing

Nationality: Dutch

The 18-year-old has pressure on his shoulders concerning the legacy of his legendary father. But, Patrick Kluivert can sit back relaxed regarding his son's future in the game.

Justin Kluivert made his debut with Jong Ajax in September 2016 and later made it to the first team in the same year. He is yet to make a senior team debut for the Netherlands.

The Dutchman is well adept at getting the fans on their toes, thanks to his silky stepovers and dribbling skills. Kluivert plays as a right forward, also capable of functioning as an attacking midfielder. With plenty of room for improvement, he is rightly destined to be a future superstar in the game.

While Ajax have a Herculean task in keeping Justin Kluivert away from the prying eyes of giant clubs, another vital question needs to be addressed. Will Justin make his father proud in the coming years?

#9 Carles Alena

Alena is touted as the next Iniesta at Nou Camp

Age: 19

Club: FC Barcelona

Position: Central-midfielder

Nationality: Spanish

An exciting product of the famed La Masia, Alena has been playing for the Catalonians since the tender age of seven. He made his debut for Barca in April 2017.

Owing to his exquisite passing abilities and superb vision, Alena has been touted as the next Andres Iniesta at the Nou Camp. The 19-year-old controls the tempo of the game with utmost ease. He is a crucial player in the Barcelona B side.

Recently, the Catalan club had a transfer fiasco regarding the Coutinho saga. But, Liverpool's adamance in keeping the Brazilian can be a blessing in disguise for Barcelona.

Coutinho is way more mature and experienced than Alena, yet the latter has proven his mettle in the midfield. The transfer failure has paved way for Alena to make his way into the first team. Should he be granted the chance, there's no doubt the youngster will produce gold out of it.

#8 Martin Odegaard

Martin Odegaard has a huge potential to show off

Age: 18

Club: SC Heerenveen (on loan from Real Madrid)

Position: Attacking midfielder

Nationality: Norwegian

It was back in April 2014 when Norweign wonderkid Martin Odegaard announced himself in the game with Stromsgodset. Just a year later, Spanish giants signed him and he became the youngest Los Blancos player to appear for the club in May 2015.

He became the youngest debutant for Norway's senior team at the age of 15 in August 2014.

His remarkable rise as a player at such a young age is all down to the plethora of potential he possesses.

Odegaard is blessed with technique and natural balance, which make up for his weakness in physical strength. He has a great vision and delivers pinpoint passes to his teammates. He is well accomplished as a dribbler for his age and has a knack for taking long shots on goal.

At a time when players usually take their first step in the game, Martin Odegaard is already a part of the biggest club in the world. Football certainly has a great superstar in store for the future.

#7 Niklas Dorsch

Niklas Dorsch has drawn comparisons to Kroos and Schweinsteiger

Age: 19

Club: Bayern Munich

Position: Defensive midfielder

Nationality: German

Another potent German to feature on the list. Niklas Dorsch rose through Bayern's youth ranks before making the cut into the first team at the Allianz. He currently represents the U19 team on the national level.

Dorsch has been turning heads since stepping into the game. His succession of impressive performances has drawn him comparisons to former Bayern legends Bastian Schweinsteiger and Toni Kroos. He looks ready to make his mark after coming out of the youth ranks in Bavaria.

Dorsch has received heaps of praise for his tactical intelligence, ability to hold the ball and precise passing. The 19-year usually plays as a deep-lying central midfielder. But, he can also operate as a winger, or a no.10 in times of need.

Looking at his versatility and bag of qualities, the German will surely be seen dictating Bayern's midfield in the years to come.

#6 Manuel Locatelli

Manuel Locatelli is a rising star at AC Milan

Age: 19

Club: AC Milan

Position: Central midfielder

Nationality: Italian

Manuel Locatelli kickstarted his football career with AC Milan in 2016 after rising through there youth ranks since 2009. He currently plays for Italy's U-21 level on the international stage.

Being a central midfielder, Locatelli boasts fine ball-winning qualities and precise passing skills. He also has a knack for scoring through long-shots and controlling the tempo of the game from the centre. Milan president Silvio Berlusconi claimed of seeing a new Pirlo in him!

Surely, praise doesn't get higher than that, does it? With Italians missing quality central midfielders since the arrival of Pirlo, Locatelli could be the next legend in the making in the midfield.

While the Rossoneri have direly missed the Italian grandmaster, Locatelli seems to be a worthy solution to their midfield woes. The 19-year-old will have a big part to play in Milan's rise to the pedestal in Italy.

#5 Phil Foden

Phil Foden became a sensation following England U17's World Cup triumph

Age: 17

Club: Manchester City

Position: Attacking midfielder, Central midfielder

Nationality: English

A brace in the U-17 FIFA World Cup has seen Phil Foden become a player to watch in the future. The youth prospect has been with Manchester City since 2009 and grabbed the Golden Ball at the World Cup. He made his debut against Manchester United in a friendly in July 2017.

He might not be a tall guy, but Foden is no doubt a player capable of making a difference. His level of maturity is rare compared to the players in his age group. A technically gifted central midfielder with a keen eye for a pass, the 17-year-old is at his best when playing in a no.10 role.

With his eye-catching displays, A number of top clubs are sure to line up for his signature. Pep Guardiola should be well prepared if he intends to keep the exciting talent at the Etihad.

#4 Dayot Upamecano

Dayot Upamecano is destined for greatness in the near future

Age: 19

Club: RB Leipzig

Position: Center-back

Nationality: French

Dayot Upamecano is already attracting a host of top-tier clubs following his impressive escapades in the German Bundesliga. The Frenchman started his career in 2015 with Liefering and currently plays as a centre-back for RB Leipzig.

He is one of the fledgelings still waiting for his first international call-up for France.

He might be an 18-year-old, but Upamecano possesses athleticism of an established superstar. He is well accomplished in reading the game and making crucial interceptions during matches. His physical stature allows him to be robust and agile simultaneously at the back. Also, Upamecano boasts fierce tackling abilities.

Manchester United, along with Barcelona, are the latest clubs to be involved in transfer speculation regarding the talented youngster. Looking at his qualities, Dayot Upamecano is destined to have the world at his feet in the near future.

#3 Gianluigi Donnarumma

Gianluigi Donnarumma is a top target for a host of big clubs in Europe

Age: 18

Club: AC Milan

Position: Goalkeeper

Nationality: Italian

Gianluigi Buffon might be retiring at the end of the season, much to the woes of soccer fans. Yet, the supporters won't have to wait long for another elite shot-stopper, with another 'Gigi' ready to take his place.

He is an 18-year-old prodigy, but Gianluigi Donnarumma has a giant and intimidating stature. He made his professional debut in the game for AC Milan in a 2015 friendly against Real Madrid. On the international level, he debuted against France in September 2016, thereby becoming the youngest goalkeeper to play for Italy.

'Gigio' boasts a heavyweight for his age. But, that hasn't stopped him from being agile and having quick reflexes in goal. Also, he has become proficient at handling pressure at a tender age.

Donnarumma has attracted a host of big-shots following his stellar performances for the Rossoneri. AC Milan are on a road to resurgence as a top club. The Italian shot-stopper's presence in goal is of paramount importance in their quest for glory. Can they hold on to him?

#2 Christian Pulisic

Christian Pulisic is touted as the next big thing after Landon Donovan in the USA

Age: 19

Club: Borussia Dortmund

Position: Winger, Attacking midfielder

Nationality: American

When you look at Christian Pulisic, you can hardly make a correct guess about his nationality. The USA isn't accustomed to producing a talent like him, who is regarded as the next big thing since Landon Donovan.

Pulisic kickstarted his professional career with Borussia Dortmund in January 2016. Two months later, the 18-year-old received his first international call-up for facing Guatemala.

Dembele's exit to Barcelona has sealed regular playing chances for the prodigal American.

Christian Pulisic is a pacy winger also adept at functioning as a number 10. His elite dribbling skills allow him to speed past opponents and create chances for his teammates. Albeit there is a lot of room for improvement in his playing style, the juvenile is certainly a superstar in store for the future.

But, will Dortmund be able to keep him at the Signal Iduna Park? Or will he follow the footsteps of Ousmane Dembele?

#1 Kylian Mbappe

Kylian Mbappe: the brightest wonderkid in modern football

Age: 18

Club: Paris Saint-Germain (on loan from AS Monaco)

Position: Forward, Attacking midfielder

Nationality: French

What a player. At times when footballers are just starting to learn the gameplay, Mbappe's statistics speak otherwise. Looking at his numbers, no one will bet on him being an 18-year-old.

Kylian Mbappe made his debut for Monaco in December 2015, becoming the youngest player to play for the club by breaking Thierry Henry's 21-year-old record. The prodigal youngster made received his first international cap for France against Luxembourg in March 2017.

Currently active as a forward for Paris Saint Germain, Mbappe is set to become the second most expensive signing after teammate Neymar. The young starlet has already won a host of personal accolades and became the youngest player to be nominated for the Ballon d'Or.

The Frenchman is capable of operating in a variety of attacking positions. He can play anywhere on the frontline and also carry out a no.10 role for his team. Armed with good vision and technique, Mbappe's dribbling and finishing dexterities make him a treat to watch on the field. No youngster can wreak havoc in the defences as good as the 18-year-old can.

There's no tinge of doubt that Kylian Mbappe will conquer the football world after Ronaldo and Messi retire. PSG are seriously lucky to have him!

Notably, Kylian Mbappe beat a plethora of talented youngsters, to win the Golden Boy award just last month! For those who follow the youngster closely, there's little doubt as to who the best youngster in the world is.