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After every World Cup, one of the most exciting aspects of watching the spectacle is how the tournament can showcase young talents on their way to greatness. During the tournament, they may not be perfect- their first touch might be flawed or their decision-making may be questionable. However, the tantalizing potential of these players is evident.
This World Cup was no different in this respect. We were lucky to witness some great young players announce their arrival on the world stage, with one particular 19 year old being one of the best players in the tournament regardless of age (no prizes for guessing). So how would an XI of the best 23 or under players look?
Goalkeeper and Defenders
Goalkeeper: Francis Uzoho
As a 19 year old, Uzoho is a rarity for an international goalkeeper. In fact, there were only two active shot-stoppers in the tournament who fit the criteria of this XI. The other was Tunisia goalkeeper Mouez Hassan who only lasted 15 minutes against England before picking up an injury. So this wasn’t exactly a difficult decision. That isn’t to say that Uzoho didn’t deserve it: the Nigeria goalkeeper was excellent for his side especially in the air against a very tall Iceland side.
Right-Back: Benjamin Pavard
Before the tournament, not many expected Benjamin Pavard to have any playing time for France considering the explosiveness and dynamic attacking play of Djibril Sidibe. However, Didier Deschamps opted for him and by the end of the tournament we knew why. Pavard was solid defensively throughout, handling opposition wingers and full-backs. As a 22 year old, Pavard has a really bright future both at international and club level.
Centre Back: Yerry Mina
At 23, Yerry Mina has shown an incredible maturity for Colombia. After not having played in Colombia’s first game against Japan, Mina was incredible defensively for the South Americans- averaging seven clearances per game. He and Davinson Sanchez helped Colombia only concede one goal in their next three games. Furthermore, three games in a row, the South American team faced certain elimination. All three times, Mina thundered in a header to save his team. That alone guarantees a spot in this XI.
Centre Back: Jose Gimenez
Jose Gimenez is probably the luckiest young centre-back in the world, getting to play with and learn from Diego Godin both at international and club level. Yet Gimenez has also managed to establish himself as a great defender in his own right. The Atletico Madrid defender was brilliant for Uruguay throughout the tournament. Gimenez’s excellence was most evident in the group stages, where he was a vital part of a defence that didn’t concede a single goal and even scored a vital late winner against Egypt.
Left Back: Lucas Hernandez
Like Pavard, Lucas Hernandez is a natural centre-back whose initial selection was questioned by many in France. By the end of the tournament, he too had proved his doubters wrong. Hernandez was brilliant for Les Blues, especially in a Round of 16 game against Argentina where his marauding runs helped set up two of their goals. He was formidable defensively too, making the second-most tackles of any player in the tournament.
Midfielders
CDM: Wilfrid Ndidi
Wilfrid Ndidi continues to be one of the most underrated players in the world as his defensive brilliance was key for Nigeria in their World Cup campaign. The Leicester City midfielder made an incredible four interceptions and five tackles per game (ranked 1st and 2nd in the World Cup respectively). This solidity in midfield was key for Nigeria as they kept a clean sheet against Iceland and almost eliminated Argentina in their last group game. If Ndidi continues improving, Nigeria could have one of the world’s best defensive midfielders.
CDM: Lucas Torreira
The recent Arsenal signing Lucas Torreira was similarly vital to his Uruguayan side, as his work in defensive midfield was key for one of the best tournament defences. Torreira helped provide support to Godin and Gimenez, doing a great job of shielding the centre-backs. He also managed to help negate the impact of attacking midfielders like Denis Cheryshev and Bernardo Silva during the tournament.
CM: Rodrigo Bentancur
For years, Uruguay were a team built around their incredible defence and the talent of their forwards (Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani). There was very little creativity in the team, as they relied on the inter-play of the strikers to create goals. This changed (to a certain extent) in this tournament as the young Juventus midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur helped create opportunities for his teammates. Considering that Bentancur is the third Uruguayan in this XI, one can see how the team’s future remains bright.
Forwards
LW: Hirving Lozano
It may seem a long time ago now, but there was a time where Germany were considered one of the favorites as they looked to defend their title. However, the first and biggest blow to Die Mannschaft’s chances came at the hands of a 22 year old Mexican winger who plays in the Dutch Eredivisie. That winger was no other than Hirving Lozano, whose pace and skill on the counter-attack troubled an ageing German defence endlessly- culminating in a brilliant goal. Lozano continued his form later in the tournament, even as Mexico crashed out at the hands of Brazil.
ST: Aleksandar Mitrovic
It feels strange that Alexander Mitrovic is only 23 years old. Premier League fans have seen him struggle at Newcastle United, where he failed to live up to initial expectations. However at the World Cup, the Serbian striker was absolutely brilliant as his play was key for the Balkan team’s attacking strategy. Mitrovic is a giant (standing at 189cm) who effectively uses his aerial ability against Costa Rica, Switzerland and Brazil. While he only scored one goal, he was unlucky not to have scored more. Serbia’s future is bright if Mitrovic continues to improve.
RW: Kylian Mbappe
It almost feels like an insult to put Kylian Mbappe in this XI. This should be an XI meant for players who showed great potential at the tournament but still need to improve to be counted as one of the world’s elite players. Mbappe is indisputably one of the best in the world already as he proved in the tournament. The PSG winger’s pace, skill and footballing intelligence was crucial for France in their run up to the World Cup final as he provided goals for a team reliant on its defence. Mbappe may have been named the tournament’s best young player but he would have been equally deserving of the Golden Ball. The scary thing? He could qualify for this XI in the next World Cup- that’s how young he is.
