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In the past, players used to wait to turn 22 or 23 years of age in order to break into the senior squad. However, the game has evolved rapidly as talent and maturity have overpowered the age factor. Players, these days, are quite mature for their age and it can be seen quite evidently from their performances on the field.
The starlets are getting promoted from the youth systems and therefore are well accustomed to their clubs' philosophy and style. It helps the youngsters to quickly adapt and settle down in the senior squad. These teenagers are plying their trade in the best leagues in the world representing some best teams.
There are many youngsters currently who have been performing exceptionally of which we take a look at the top 5 players who are under the age of 20.
#5. Justin Kluivert - AS Roma
The 19-year-old shares much in common with his father Patrick, who also famously started his stellar career at Ajax. Although they started at the same club, Justin is a very different forward. Indeed, he operates out wide, predominantly on the left, due to his fantastic pace and excellent ability to beat the defense from wide positions. The Dutch international idolizes Cristiano Ronaldo and hopes to replicate him.
Justin Kluivert announced himself to the world while he played for Ajax. Kluivert drew attention from big clubs like FC Barcelona, Real Madrid C.F, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United but he chose AS Roma to establish himself before he makes a move to his dream club FC Barcelona.
Justin has featured 14 times for AS Roma in Serie A this season and has one goal and three assists to his name. Justin Kluivert has also scored a goal in this seasons' UEFA Champions League.
#4. Jadon Sancho - Borussia Dortmund
Jadon Sancho made a switch from Manchester City's youth team to Borussia Dortmund in 2017 where he signed his first professional contract. Season 2017-18 was the transition phase for the young Englishman but the player has exploded onto the scene this campaign.
Jadon Sancho's performance is one of the key reasons why Dortmund is currently leading the Bundesliga title race. Sancho has made 17 appearances in Bundesliga this season and has managed to score six goals. Apart from scoring goals, he has successfully set up seven goals too.
Jadon Sancho is known in England and Germany for his incredible footwork, dribbling ability, and a knack for scoring goals. The Englishman has possessed good ball control which allows him to make exciting runs down the flank.
#3. Gianluigi Donnarumma - AC Milan
Gianluigi Donnarumma has been tipped as one of the finest young goalkeepers in world football, having established himself as Milan's No.1 as a teenager. Donnarumma made his first appearance for AC Milan in 2015 when he was just 16 years of age.
The starlet made his senior International debut at the age of 17 thus becoming the youngest goalkeeper ever to appear for Italy.
Since then, Gianluigi Donnarumma has only got better with age. Long considered one of Italy's most exciting prospects and successor to Gianluigi Buffon, Donnarumma has impressed everyone with his astute goalkeeping skills.
Donnarumma maintains good reactions and is efficient at stopping penalties. Donnarumma just needs to work on his positioning and distribution to become a world-class goalkeeper.
#2. Matthijs de Ligt - Ajax
De Ligt is one of the most sought after youngsters in Europe. The 19-year-old already has 10 caps for Holland and has played close to 80 senior games for Ajax.
Ajax CEO Edwin van der Sar stated: "He looks like he’s been doing this for six or seven years. Matthijs is very mature for his age: he has the physique of a 24-year-old. He is also strong with both feet, has an extremely good range of passing, can head the ball, scores goals and is a real leader at the back already"
A born leader with a wonderful range of passing, De Ligt is considered one of the most exciting center backs to emerge in Europe. The starlet debuted for the Netherlands during the UEFA Nations League helping them to qualify for the semi-final from a tough group which had France and Germany.
The Dutch international won the Golden Boy award in 2018 and has attracted a lot of attention from big clubs like FC Barcelona, Juventus, Manchester United, and PSG.
#1. Vinicius Jr. - Real Madrid
Vinicius Junior became the most expensive 16-year-old in the football history when Real Madrid agreed to pay Flamengo €45 million for the striker’s services.
Vinicius Jr, after pulling in a string of impressive performances for Real Madrid Castilla has cemented his place in the Real Madrid squad. Vinicius Jr is already looking like a bargain buy. The 18-year-old attacker already boasts better numbers than Neymar Jr. at the same age.
The Brazilian starlet has already made seven appearances in the La Liga for Real Madrid and has managed to get his name on the score sheet once. He has also made two appearances in UEFA Champions League as well bagging an assist to his name.
Although Real Madrid is going through a rough patch, one of the positives has been Vinicius Jr. dynamic display of the field. Even in their recent loss to Real Sociedad, the Brazilian was the lone bright spark. He has shown signs that he can replicate Neymar Jr at the highest level of football.
Vinicius is a pure talent who possesses good pace, a variety of tricks, good dribbling ability, and a vision to finish.
