UEFA Youth League 2022-23: Team of the Season

AZ Alkmaar lifted the trophy this season

The UEFA Youth League is a breeding ground for youthful European talent, showcasing the game's future stars. AZ Alkmaar won the tournament this season As the 2022-23 UEFA Youth League season draws to a close, we evaluate the tournament's top performers and designate the team of the year.

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GK: Rome Jayden Owusu-Oduro (AZ Alkmaar)

Rome Dutch keeper Jayden Owusu-Oduro was born on July 2, 2004. He has had success in football at 18. Owusu-Oduro helped AZ Alkmaar's U21 team win the UEFA Youth League. He was promoted to the senior team after impressing. Owusu-Oduro joined AZ Alkmaar's first team in 2022-2023 and has played regularly in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie, the Netherlands' second-tier professional football league. Despite his young age, he has demonstrated maturity and composure on the field, showing his potential to become a top custodian.

AZ Alkmaar signed Owusu-Oduro until June 30, 2026, signaling they value him for the future. His agent, CAA Stellar, is one of the world's top sports management companies, indicating his football potential. Owusu-Oduro also played for Netherlands U20. He has one cap for the national team and has the talent and potential to play regularly.

Overall, Rome Dutch footballer Jayden Owusu-Oduro is promising. His early success has earned him senior-level opportunities, and he is sure to continue to grow.

RB: Adam Bakoune (AC Milan)

Adam Bakoune is a young player for Milan Primavera in Primavera 1. On July 1, 2022, he joined Milan U19 and became a key player. He is a flexible player who can operate in several positions. He has enormous potential to become a vital player for Milan due to his pace, agility, and technical skills.

Bakoune helped Milan Primavera reach the UEFA Youth League knockout stages in 2022-2023. He had two assists and three yellow cards in eight tournament appearances. Bakoune's performance in the competition showcased his talent. He has also played for Milan Primavera in Primavera 1. He has started 75% of his matches and scored 13% of the team's goals due to his consistency and maturity.

Milan hasn't terminated Bakoune's contract, suggesting his potential. He has the talent and work ethic to become a valuable Milan senior player. Adam Bakoune is a promising Italian footballer. His exploits in the UEFA Youth League and Primavera 1 league have shown his ability to become a top-class player. It will be intriguing to see how his career develops.

CB: Mateo Jurić-Petrašilo (HNK Hajduk Split)

HNK Hajduk Split's U19 team's center-back is 18-year-old Mateo Juric-Petrasilo. He is a talented defender from Split, Croatia, born on November 30, 2004. Juric-Petrasilo has been a key player for Hajduk Split's U19 since July 2021. He scored one goal and received three yellow cards and a one-second yellow card in 17 games in 2022-2023. Juric-Petrasilo has impressed coaches and teammates with his defensive talents and game-reading despite his tender age.

European scouts and coaches have noticed Juric-Petrasilo's play. He has been linked with various clubs and has the potential to become a great defender. Juric-Petrasilo's Hajduk Split contract expires on December 31, 2024. Given his talent and potential, the club is likely to extend his contract and maintain him as a vital player for the future. Mateo Juric-Petrasilo is a promising Croatian footballer. His performances in the Prva HNL - Juniori division show his ability to become a top-class defender. It will be intriguing to see how his career develops.

CB: João Muniz (Sporting CP)

João Muniz, 17, is a potential Portuguese centre-back for Sporting CP B in League 3 - Relegation round. He is a talented defender from Ribeira Brava, Portugal, born on June 26, 2005.

Muniz earned three U19 Portugal caps. He impressed for Sporting CP B in 2022-2023, making seven appearances. His defensive skills and game awareness have impressed coaches and teammates. He also plays right-back and defensive midfield.

Sporting CP B sees Muniz as a future asset, as his contract continues until June 30, 2024. He may play for Sporting CP's senior team in the future as he improves. João Muniz is a promising Portuguese footballer. His performances for Sporting CP B and the national team have shown his ability to become a top-class defence, and it will be exciting to see his career progress.

LB: Šimun Hrgović (HNK Hajduk Split)

HNK Hajduk Split's U19 left-back Simun Hrgovic is 19. He is a promising defender from Vukovar, Croatia, born on March 20, 2004.

Hrgovic has seven Croatia U18 caps. Since joining Hajduk Split's U19 team in July 2021, he has played often. He has nine appearances, one goal, and two yellow cards in 2022-2023. He is a promising left-back. His pace, dribbling, and crossing accuracy help his team attack. His positional awareness and tackling skills make him a valuable defensive player.

Hajduk Split signed Hrgovic until June 30, 2024, highlighting his potential. He may play for Hajduk Split's senior team in the future as he improves. Croatian footballer Simun Hrgovic is promising. His performances for Hajduk Split's U19 team and the national team have shown his ability to become a top-class left-back. It will be intriguing to see how his career progresses.

DM: Kees Smit (AZ Alkmaar)

AZ Alkmaar's U18 centre midfielder Kees Smit is 17. He is a talented midfielder from Heiloo, Netherlands, born on January 21, 2006. Smit has five U17 Netherlands caps. Since joining AZ Alkmaar's U18 team in July 2022, he has played often. He has eight appearances, one goal, and three assists in 2022/2023.

Smit is a promising central midfielder. He controls the middle with his passing, vision, and decision-making. His physicality and tackling ability have also helped him defend. AZ Alkmaar signed Smit until June 30, 2024, highlighting his potential. He may play for AZ Alkmaar's senior team in the future as he improves.

Dutch footballer Kees Smit is promising. His performances for AZ Alkmaar's U18 team and the national team have shown his ability to become a top central midfielder. It will be intriguing to see how his career progresses.

Midfielder: César Palacios (Real Madrid)

Real Madrid's U19 offensive midfielder César Palacios is 18. Born in Soria, Spain, on November 11, 2004, he has enormous offensive talent. Palacios scored four goals in seven U19 caps for Spain. Since joining Real Madrid's U19 team in July 2022, he's excelled. He scored five goals and assisted two in seven UEFA Youth League games in 2022/2023.

Palacios is a promising offensive midfielder. He creates scoring opportunities for his teammates with his dribbling, vision, and inventiveness. In seven appearances, he has scored five goals. Real Madrid signed Palacios until June 30, 2027, highlighting his potential. He may play for Real Madrid's senior team in the future as he continues to grow. César Palacios is a promising Spanish footballer. His performances for Real Madrid's U19 team and the national team show his ability to become a premier attacking midfielder. It will be intriguing to see how his career progresses.

AM: Ben Doak (Liverpool)

Liverpool U18's 17-year-old right winger Ben Doak is Scottish. Born in Dalry, Scotland, on November 11, 2005, he possesses attacking talent. Doak has three Scotland U21 caps and one goal. Since joining Liverpool's U18 team in July 2022, he's excelled.

He scored four goals and assisted four in eight U18 Premier League matches in 2022-2023. Doak has shown he can be a great attacker. He helps his team score by dribbling, running, and being creative. In eight games, he scored four goals.

Liverpool sees Doak as a promising talent, as his contract runs through the end of the season. He may play for Liverpool's senior team in the future as he continues to grow. Ben Doak is a promising Scottish footballer. His performances for Liverpool's U18 team and the national team show his ability to become a top attacking player. It will be intriguing to see how his career progresses.

LW: Carlos Borges (Manchester City)

Manchester City U21's 19-year-old left winger Carlos Borges is Portuguese. Born in Sintra, Portugal, on March 19, 2004, he has enormous attacking talent. Borges has eleven U19 caps for Portugal and one goal. Since joining Manchester City U21 in July 2022, he has excelled.

He played six Premier League 2 games in 2022-2023, scoring four goals and assisting six. Borges has shown he can be a great attacker. He helps his team score by dribbling, running, and being creative. In six outings, he has scored four goals. Manchester City signed Borges until June 30, 2024, highlighting his potential. He may play for Manchester City's senior team in the future as he continues to grow.

Carlos Borges is a promising Portuguese footballer. His performances for Manchester City's U21 team and the national team show his ability to become a great attacking player. It will be intriguing to see how his career progresses.

RW: Mexx Meerdink (AZ Alkmaar)

Mexx Meerdink is a 19-year-old Dutch football player who was born in Winterswijk, Netherlands, on July 24, 2003. He is presently a Centre Forward for AZ Alkmaar U21 in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie, the second tier of Dutch football. His present contract will expire on June 30, 2027. He joined AZ Alkmaar U21 on January 1, 2022. Meerdink is renowned for his goal-scoring prowess, which has garnered him the title of UEFA Youth League's Leading Scorer. During the same season, he was also a member of the UEFA Youth League champion team.

Mexx's agent is Key United, and his estimated market value as of April 3, 2023 is approximately €500,000. In six UEFA Youth League 22-23 matches, he has scored a total of nine goals and provided two assists. Additionally, he has been issued two yellow cards in the same tournament. His percentage of appearances in the starting eleven is 50%, and he has played 41% of the minutes in his matches. He has been an integral member of the Keuken Kampioen Division-winning AZ Alkmaar U21 squad.

ST: Ernest Poku (AZ Alkmaar)

Ernest Poku is a 19-year-old Dutch center-forward who is presently playing in the Eredivisie for AZ Alkmaar. His contract runs until June 30, 2026, having been signed on January 28, 2022. Poku is 1.72 meters tall and possesses Dutch citizenship. He is represented by Rondo Football agency and has earned 6 caps and scored one goal for the Netherlands U19 national team. During the 2021-2022 season, Poku was a member of the AZ Alkmaar squad that won the UEFA Youth League.

During the same season, he made nine appearances for AZ Alkmaar's first team, netting eight goals and assisting on two others. In addition, he had a starting eleven record of 100% and a goal participation rate of 28%. The present market value of Poku is estimated to be €300k as of 11 November 2022.

The UEFA Youth League team of the season exemplifies the rising caliber of young talent in European football. These athletes have demonstrated exceptional talent and promise, and they represent the future of the sport. It's exciting to see these youthful players making waves on the international stage, and we expect them to accomplish even more in the years to come. The UEFA Youth League team of the season exemplifies the significance of fostering youthful talent and investing in the sport's future.