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The FIFA World Cup is still regarded by many as the most prestigious tournament in world football, and with Russia's 2018 edition almost at our doorstep, many young stars will be looking to set the world alight by taking advantage of the spotlight, in order to introduce themselves to the whole globe.
And what better example of an unknown talented youngster using "El Mundial" to grab the attention of the public, than a certain Pelé in Sweden in 1958?
In this article, we have a look at 10 under-23 players, who have the potential to surprise many with their performance in Russia.
The possibility of their national team qualifying for the event, as well as how likely their teammates are expected to help them shine, are the criteria taken into consideration. So, here goes!
#10 - Marcus Rashford:
Marcus Rashford has had an excellent start to the new season, having already netted 6 goals and 4 assists across all competitions for both, Manchester United and England's national team.
The 19-year old is blessed with pace, skills and end product and is without any doubt one of the best talents in Europe as we speak.
Also read: Marcus Rashford: A bright start to a promising career
However, one of the problems he can face is the unknown outcome of the 'Three Lions' during the competition.
England have done very well in qualifiers of recent editions, but the problems have always emerged whenever the competition actually starts and the pressure arises.
As a matter of fact, they were eliminated from the group stage of the 2014 World Cup.
So, will playing for his country be an obstacle that Rashford will have to overcome, in order of steal the spotlight in Russia?
#9 - Predrag Rajkovic:
Serbia shocked everyone when they were crowned world champions back in 2015, at the under-20 level.
This achievement would have been out of imagination, if it was not for the brilliance of Predrag Rajkovic.
The shot-stopper was phenomenal against Brazil in the final, denying them the trophy on several occasions.
The level he showed in that game, was similar to the one he had displayed throughout the whole tournament.
Playing his trade for Israeli giants - Maccabi Tel Aviv FC, the 21-year old has already featured 6 times for his national team, including an impressive performance in the 3-0 victory against Moldova in a recent World Cup qualifier.
With Rajkovic improving day-by-day, and with Vladimir Stojkovic not getting any younger, it would hardly be a surprise that the rising goalkeeper permanently displaces the 34-year old out of the starting lineup, by June.
#8 - José Maria Giménez:
It is easy to forget centre-backs while listing talents to keep an eye on, but José Maria Giménez is live evidence as to why this position as just as important as any other.
Defensively speaking, the 22-year old has been rock solid for Atlético Madrid for quite a while now, but that does not prevent him from always being an aerial threat to the opponents, in set pieces.
As a matter of fact, he has already found the net against Girona this season, helping Atlético secure a valuable away home that could prove-out to be crucial by the end of the season.
Giménez has been just as impressive for Uruguay, and despite the national team's recent decline in form, it is highly expected that they book themselves a ticket to Russia, and retrieve their composed back-line.
La Celeste has already shown improvement in the previous round of qualifiers, by holding Lionel Messi and his Argentine teammates to a goal-less draw in Montevideo, proving why they can still rely on defensive resilience to do the job, whenever needed.
#7 - Joshua Kimmich:
The influence of Joshua Kimmich keeps growing on the pitch, for both FC Bayern Munich and the national team.
In June, he played an essential role in guiding a young German side to FIFA Confederations Cup triumph, for the first time in their history.
It is expected that the 22-year old maintains his spot in the starting lineup, succeeding 2014 winner Philipp Lahm's in Germany's World Cup plans, after the veteran has brought an end to his footballing career.
In his last three games for the Bavarian giants, up against Anderlecht, Mainz and Schalke, Kimmich scored a goal and mustered four assists, proving just how vital his offensive contribution can be.
The rising right-back's game is balanced between helping the defence and supporting the attack with his valuable runs, in addition to his ability to help maintain possession and improve the build-up from the back.
Kimmich really does it all.
#6 - Marco Asensio:
Real Madrid have had a poor start in their quest to defend their La Liga title, and without the rising star of Marco Asensio, things would have been even worse.
The 21-year old has already scored 4 goals this season, including two rockets against FC Barcelona in the Spanish Supercup.
Also read: 5 things to know about Real Madrid wonderkid Marco Asensio
He is quickly growing and improving his game, with everything suggesting that if he keeps it up until the end of the season, he could be ready to be one of La Roja's pillars in Russia.
Spain's national team is looking to build a younger squad, and are in need of a pacy winger who can add another dimension to their games.
Asensio offers skills, dribbles, goals, assists and whatnot.
#5 - Timo Werner:
Timo Werner might only be 21 years old, but he has already proved his worth by guiding Germany's national team to Confederations Cup triumph in June.
Perhaps, a sign of what could happen next year, as the Germans make their comeback to Russian capital Moscow, for the World Cup this time.
Werner will be looking to challenge for another Golden Boot award, and who can blame him for being ambitious, when he possesses such fascinating finishing skills and when he is the focal point of Germany's attack.
They are known to dominate games and to never leave their main striker short of clear-cut goal-scoring chances.
Werner who has scored 4 Bundesliga goals in 5 appearances this season already, will certainly enjoy his time.
#4 - Ousmane Dembélé:
Ousmane Dembélé was the source of attention for many media outlets during the summer, following speculation linking him with a mega-money move to FC Barcelona, which was eventually completed.
The Frenchman has had an encouraging debut for the Catalan giants, providing an assist to Luis Suarez against Espanyol and then impressing against Juventus in the UEFA Champions League.
Barça fans were quickly labelling him as the new Neymar, but to Ousmane's misfortune, a terrible injury-blow against Getafe in La Liga action, means that the 20-year old could be on the sidelines for up to three months.
That said, Dembélé is way too talented for his development to stall because of this setback.
He is expected to be back by the end of the calendar year, and will then be ready to display his real magic for the Catalan giants, as he did for Borussia Dortmund last season, when he managed 8 goals and 18 assists.
Likewise, France's national team will be more than glad to welcome back the return of one of the most exciting prospects in European football.
#3 - Paolo Dybala:
Paolo Dybala is so ridiculously good, that it is so easy to forget the fact that he is only 23-years old and still has a lot of room for development.
The Argentinian has already won the hearts of Juventus fanatics, as well as that of all admirers of Italian calcio.
In five league games this season, Dybala has already found the net on eight different occasions.
These stats are no doubt, Messi-esque ones. And it is precisely Lionel Messi, to whom the genius of the young rising Argentine, is being compared to.
With his movement, dribbling, passing and shooting technique, Paolo is reminiscent of his idol and is being compared to him week in, week out.
While he is admittedly still not in contention to be compared to Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, if the Juventus star continues displaying such performances until the end of the season, then he will no doubt be closer than ever to reach this category.
Argentina's national team is in desperate need for a new hero to emerge out of the blue and help them get out of their current miserable state.
Will Dybala be their man, come Russia 2018?
#2 - Kylian Mbappé:
Kylian Mbappé has conquered the hearts of all the lovers of French football.
He is considered to be the biggest rising sensation in Ligue Un at the moment, And how can he not be, with all these bags of potential within him.
To put things into perspective, the 18-year old scored 6 goals in the UEFA Champions League last season, to guide AS Monaco to the semi-finals of the edition, for the first time since 2004.
With his heroic performances and a full debut for France's national team, it was no surprise that French giants Paris Saint-Germain were quick to acquire his services, for what could add up to a transfer fee of around €180 million, making him the world's second most expensive player in football history, behind his new club-mate, Neymar JR.
Also read: Meet Kylian Mbappe: The Monaco youngster Wenger believes could be the next Thierry Henry
Les Bleus are a factory of talents, but Mbappe might well be the most promising one among a galaxy of rising gems.
He is the modern-day striker who is capable of not only scoring goals, but also rescuing games from dead situations, thanks to his sensational burst of pace and dribbling skills, and will be expected to light up Russia next year!
#1 - Gabriel Jesus:
The question is yet to be answered as to whether Gabriel Jesus is the best rising talent in the world.
While he is very impressive at club level, he may not be "the" most impressive one, among a galaxy of other stars.
But, when it comes to international football, it is hard to think of any other youngster who is as crucial for his country-side, as Gabriel Jesus is.
The 20-year old has already scored 5 goals and provided 3 assists in just 8 games for the Seleção, all in official World Cup qualifiers.
The influence that Gabriel has had is just immense, and he is now considered a lock in Tite's lineup.
As a matter of fact, Brazil's national team is being touted as one of the top three favourites, if not the number one favourite, to lift the World Cup trophy in Russia.
If the Brazilians manage to do so, it would be for a record 6th time.
However, this will be easier said than done, and Gabriel Jesus of all people, is aware of the challenge.
The Manchester City star dreams to emulate the footsteps of his number one idol Ronaldo, who in 2002, was the hero of the final, after scoring a brace against Germany.
And if there is any Brazilian striker who has a bit of Ronaldo in him in recent years, then it would have to be Gabriel.
Whether he will go down in history just like his role model, remains to be seen.
