Top 5 U-23 footballers in the world

As sad as it is to contemplate, the indomitable Lionel Messi-Cristiano Ronaldo era is slowly, but surely, coming to an end. We have already seen key figures of their generation, like Andres Iniesta and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, move to lesser leagues, and others like Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres, and Frank Lampard retire.

All is not lost, however, as we are beginning to see amongst the new millennial generation who will be the ones to take up Messi and Ronaldo's mantle at the pinnacle of world football. Though many thought it was destined to be Neymar to truly surpass Messi and Ronaldo, it hasn't happened as of yet, and because of this, many have turned their attention to the younger players who have time on the side.

This article is going to look at the 5 best young footballers currently playing and discuss why they are deserving of being in the top 5.

#5 Joao Felix

Many feel it will be João Félix who will one day inherit Ronaldo's position as Portugal's captain and leader.

In at number 5 is Portugal's João Félix who currently plays for Atletico Madrid and the Portuguese National Team. He made his international debut in the semi-final of the UEFA Nations League which Portugal would go onto win.

A diverse attacker, João Félix can play as a central attacking midfielder, a winger, and a second-striker, though he most commonly employed in the former position. At just 20 years old, the young Portuguese is already a central figure for both Atletico Madrid and the Portuguese national side and is one of the most exciting midfield talents of his generation.

With Ronaldo approaching his mid-to-late 30s some feel it is João Félix who will inherit the captaincy of Portugal's national team one day when his peerless teammate one day retires from professional football.

The young Portuguese spent one season with Benfica where he won the league title, being awarded the Player of the Season in the process. Additionally, he won his first international trophy with Portugal by helping his side to the inaugural UEFA Nations League title.

He scored 20 goals in all competitions last season with an additional 11 assists for good measure. This demonstrates that João Félix can both score goals and provide them, to make him a well-rounded attacking threat.

Though he recently picked up an injury, João Félix has made a decent start for Atletico Madrid and has helped his side to stay in the title race against fierce rivals, Real Madrid and FC Barcelona.

Also check out: La liga table 2019-20 Champions League table EPL table

#4 Frenkie de Jong

Frenkie de Jong is one of the best young players in the world, with some comparing him to Xavi and Iniesta.

Frenkie de Jong is the complete midfield package. A mesmeric dribbler, a pass master, and solid defensively, the young Dutchman started attracting serious attention from the footballing world whilst still at Ajax.

It soon became apparent last season that Frenkie de Jong wasn't going to be at Ajax for long and much like his teammate Matthijs de Ligt, major European clubs were vying for him. He, of course, joined FC Barcelona for a mouthwatering £64 million to play alongside the likes of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.

Upon joining the club, Barcelona legend Xavi, a player with whom de Jong is often compared, expressed that the young Dutchman "is a footballer who can mark an era in Barcelona," which is about the highest praise one could ask for.

Last season, de Jong won the league title and domestic cup in the Netherlands. Additionally, the Dutchman was awarded Player of the Season, as well as being in the Champions League Team of the Season, and the FIFA Team of the Year.

Whilst his personal statistics may not be equal to the other attacking players on this list, de Jong's influence over the game is undeniable. Whether as a defensive or attacking midfielder, the youngster plays the architect role, dictating the flow of play in a way similar to how the likes of Iniesta, Xavi, and Andrea Pirlo did.

#3 Matthijs de Ligt

Matthijs de Ligt plays alongside Cristiano Ronaldo at Juventus after moving there from Ajax last summer.

Even at the tender age of 20, Matthijs de Ligt has already had some pretty impressive career highlights. When making his debut for the Dutch national side he became the youngest debutant since 1931.

Additionally, in 2017 he became the youngest player to ever play in a major European final at the age of just 17. More impressively, however, on 17th December 2018, the young Dutchman won the Golden Boy award, becoming the first defender to win it.

It was last season that Matthijs de Ligt came to prominence, most notably scoring the winning goal that knocked Juventus out of the UEFA Champions League; a club whom he would incidentally join just months later.

Matthijs de Ligt is already amongst the best defenders in the world, and it is highly probable that he will be the best in the future. With his whole career still ahead of him, the sky is the limit for the young Dutchman.

Like his teammate Frenkie de Jong, de Ligt was included in the FIFA World XI. Also, the defender won the Dutch Player of the Year for 2019. As well as boasting aerial prowess and defensive talents, de ligt has been hailed by pundits for his passing capabilities, his leadership qualities, and his maturity given his age.

#2 Trent Alexander-Arnold

Trent Alexander Arnold is arguably the best full-back in the world right now.

At 21 years of age, Trent Alexander-Arnold is one of the hottest prospects in world football right now. With a firm place for both his club and country, the young player has shown that he is a force to be reckoned with.

Despite playing as a defender, the young talent has shown that his attacking instincts are superior to his defensive ones, with his passing ability being more akin to an attacking midfielder than a right-back.

Nevertheless, the youngster has confirmed that although he would like to move up to the midfield one day, he is quite content with playing at right-back for now. He was pivotal in Liverpool's successful Champions League campaign, and also in their current season which sees them 8 points clear at the top of the table as of writing this.

Since last season, Trent Alexander-Arnold has scored 2 goals and a staggering 20 assists; a figure that a Dani Alves in his prime would be proud of. 12 of these came during last years Premier League season which earned the youngster the record for most assists by a defender in the league's history.

#1 Kylian Mbappe

Kylian Mbappe has already won several significant trophies, despite being just 20 years of age including a World Cup with France

For the last couple of years, Kylian Mbappe has been universally regarded as the best young player in the world. Despite being the mere age of 20, Mbappe has won multiple league titles with Paris Saint-Germain, and a World Cup with France where he was voted the best young player.

Since last season he has scored 48 goals in 53 games, which is incredible when considering his young age. Whilst he hasn't been the best young player this season so far, one must acknowledge that Mbappe is already an established force and name in football.

With that considered, it is only fair to put him in first place on this list as he has been the most prolific goal-scorer and highest trophy winner on this list, and for that, he well and truly deserves first place.