Team of the future: Predicting the world’s best XI in 2025

Nnanna
Predicting the best possible football XI in 2025.
Predicting the best possible football XI in 2025.

Center midfield: Pedri | Barcelona

Barcelona midfielder Pedri.
Barcelona midfielder Pedri.

His vision, passing range, and creativity will have you assume that Pedri graduated from Barcelona's famed La Masia.

However, the shining star rose through the ranks at Las Palmas and started playing for the first team when he was just 16. Barcelona, known for their quality scouting of wonderkids, snatched up the star and threw him right into the first team aged 17.

So far, Pedri has been a remarkable signing for the club, pulling the strings and controlling the midfield with brilliant key passes. Now 18, the star's new contract with Barcelona contains a €1 billion release clause. Consequently, it's fair to say that the Blaugranes will be seeing Pedri at Camp Nou for a long time.

Barcelona may currently be in the financial doldrums, but if things turn around for the side, Pedri could be a key player for the Catalans in the years to come.


Defensive midfield: Jude Bellingham | Borussia Dortmund

Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham.
Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham.

When Jude Bellingham made his debut for Birmingham City at the young age of 16, it was clear that the star was going places. However, no one expected that he would be thrust right into the starting lineup at Borussia Dortmund when he turned 17.

Bellingham's maturity and positional awareness triggered the interest of the German giants. The £25 million paid by BVB made him the most expensive 17-year-old in world football.

Within months of life in Germany, Bellingham was called up to the England senior team for whom he has already made eight appearances. His presence in the middle of the park and his tactical understanding of the game make the wonderkid a key cog in the Dortmund wheel.

Jude Bellingham is already regarded as a star player even though he's still a teenager. It makes one wonder just how good he could become in the coming years.


Center midfield: Phil Foden | Manchester City

Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden.
Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden.

At just 21 years of age, Phil Foden's impressive performances with Manchester City are worthy of note. He might be placed as a midfielder on this list, but the star is quite capable of handling any position in the middle and final third of the pitch.

Foden was fantastic in City's recent game against Club Brugge, where he played as a striker. The display only goes to show how effective he is almost anywhere ahead of the defense.

Last season, the diminutive star showed just how important he was to Manchester City, appearing in 50 games and scoring 16 goals - a personal record. Foden helped City to back-to-back Premier League titles, and he currently has 10 trophies, including four League Cups.

Foden is clearly not for sale and is set for a long career at the Etihad. If his recent performances for the Cityzens are anything to go by, English football has a big, beautiful gem on their hands.

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