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The 2018 World Cup in Russia commences in a week and the world's top professional footballers will display their skills on the biggest showcase event of the year.
All the 23-man squads of the nations participating at the World Cup have been announced, with some promising youngster eager to make their mark on the world stage. There are some interesting group stage battles to look forward too as a number of young stars from around the globe will be displaying their talents on the grandest stage of professional football.
Here we look at the four favourites to win the Best Young Player Award.
#4 Gabriel Jesus
21-year-old Gabriel Jesus enjoyed his first full season at Manchester City with a title to celebrate and cap it off. The Brazilian has notched 11 goals and registered 7 assists so far this season and is primed to help guide Brazil to their sixth World Cup crown in Russia.
At Manchester City, the player has proved himself able to play in any system and is confident in leading the line for his club and country. Jesus is a skilful, tricky forward with great positional sense and a keen eye for goal.
An industrious forward, the Brazilian, like most on the list is headed to his first World Cup and could take the tournament by storm. Tite has placed his trust in the young forward and with the likes of Firmino, Neymar, Coutinho to help the player, his attacking prowess could be displayed at the grandest stage of them all and help him bag the Best Young Player award.
#3 Timo Werner
Defending world champions Germany will be going to Russia confident of defending their title. With a strong, young but experienced squad made up of a mixture of players who featured in the Confederation Cup and the 2014 Rio World Cup, the Germans are favourites to bag the title in Russia
Timo Werner could be a huge threat for Germany as the young striker will is a clever inside forward with a steady eye for goal. Heaped with the burden of replacing the great Miroslav Klose, the greatest goal scorer in World Cup history, Werner has his task cut out for him.
The RB Leipzig player has been in good form this season although it has dipped a bit since the start of the campaign. However, Werner is a goal machine and there is no better player in Germany who could replace Klose. Werner could cause teams massive problems with his pace, skill and intelligence and prove to be Germany's most lethal player.
#2 Marcus Rashford
The 20-year-old English striker, Marcus Rashford, is a young player who will be playing his first FIFA World Cup and will not be phased by the occasion. Despite not getting as many games as he would have hoped for United under Mourinho, Rashford has continued his development and improved as a player.
With rapid pace, trickery and a bullet of a shot, the young Englishman is a strong figure in the English squad and possesses enough talent to make a name for himself on the world stage as well back England's bid to win a World Cup since 1966.
Rashford has scored six goals and made five assists so far this season in the Premier League. The 20-year-old is a key asset in the England squad as he brings in another dimension to the attack with his pace and electric energy.
#1 Kylian Mbappe
19-year-old French forward, Kylian Mbappe has secured a spot for himself in the French national team and will be heading to his first international tournament with the Les Bleus. Deschamps has shown tremendous faith in the player who has replicated his brilliant form from his incredible rise last season.
Mbappe has found the net on numerous occasions this season for PSG and will be all geared up to help the national team overcome their Euro 16 final loss at home with a World Cup trophy. A strong young player, Mbappe can lead the line for France and can be deployed on either wing running at defenders.
The Frenchman has an incredible turn of pace, a lethal shot and composure in front of goal making him a real threat for defenders to pick up. Mbappe could take the tournament by storm and guide the Les Bleus to a historic triumph and win the Best Young Player award.
