FIFA U20 World Cup 2023: Team of the Tournament

Unveiling the spectacular young talent

The FIFA U20 World Cup is a breeding ground for young talents, where the stars of tomorrow have the opportunity to shine on the big stage. This prestigious tournament showcases the immense potential and raw talent of emerging football prodigies from around the world. As the competition unfolds, a select few individuals rise above the rest, displaying exceptional skills, maturity, and game-changing performances.

The FIFA U20 World Cup dream team is a celebration of the immense talent and potential showcased by these rising stars. It reflects their impact on the tournament, their ability to inspire their teammates, and their captivating performances that have captured the hearts of football fans worldwide.

In this article, we will look at the young talent that made it to the dream team of the FIFA U20 World Cup 2023:

Formation: 4-4-2

Goalkeeper: Randall Jonas Rodriguez Lucas (Uruguay)

The Uruguayan goalkeeper was part of the Uruguay's winning squad, Uruguay lifted the trophy after beating Italy 1-0 in the final. Randall Rodriguez became just the third goalkeeper to keep six clean sheets in the competition after Chile’s Cristopher Toselli in 2007 and Mika of Portugal in 2011.

He only conceded 3 goals in the entire tournament, the 19-year-old currently plays for the Uruguay club Penarol was called up to represent the senior national team for the first time by the new manager Marcelo Bielsa. He helped Uruguay clinch their maiden FIFA U20 World Cup 2023 title.

Left-back: Alan Matturro (Uruguay)

Uruguay's defender won the Silver Ball Award after his defensive and attacking display for the team, the award is given to the second-best player of the tournament. He was a machine all tournament from left-back, providing security to both the defense and constantly being a threat offensively.

Matturro plays for the Italian club Genoa, he took part in two Serie B games in 2022-23 since joining the club in the winter transfer window. Genoa automatically got promoted to Serie A next season, Matturro will get a chance to perform in the Italian top-tier and clubs around the world will keep an eye on him this transfer window.

Centre-back: Sebastian Boselli (Uruguay)

Uruguay did not concede a goal on their journey to the final, their 3-2 loss against England in the group stage was their only loss in the tournament, and a lot of credit has to be given to the centre-back Sebastian Boselli.

Boselli is under contract with the Uruguayan side Defensor Sporting Club, however, his contract expires at the end of the year. He averaged 3.5 tackles per game, won 86% of his ariel duels, and is also a very neat passer of the ball.

Centre-back: Facundo Gonzalez (Uruguay)

The young Uruguayan defender who spend the season with Valencia's B team is a top prospect coming out of the World Cup, his performances might cement his position in the Valencia's senior squad. He was a part of the backline that was difficult to beat the entire tournament, he complemented his goalkeeper throughout the tournament.

Uruguayan defenders have this tradition of succeeding in the LaLiga, from Diego Godin to Ronald Araujo, Uruguay knows how to produce talented yet physically adept centre-backs and Gonzalez could be the latest in that proud tradition.

Right-back: Ilay Feingold (Israel)

Israel's historic run at the FIFA U20 World Cup 2023 has made global headlines, they stunned the favourites Brazil in the quarter-finals with a 3-2 extra-time win. Israel's 18-year-old is the perfect description of a versatile defender who can adapt to any position.

He helped his team taste a fairy tale ending, Israel clinched the 3rd place after winning 3-1 against South Korea, and he completed the most amount of crosses for his nation. He had 17 crosses in the tournament.

Left-wing: Cade Cowell (USA)

San Jose Earthquake's Cade Cowell is the next big player from Major League Soccer, clubs around the world have already assessed his situation. He is a centre-forward, who was largely used as a left-wing player in the tournament.

He ended up scoring 3 goals in the tournament, he scored an amazing solo goal against Slovakia that helped USA win. His speed, agility, and ball control created so many chances for the USA national team. However, USA were knocked out by Uruguay who eventually went on to win the tournament.

Centre-midfield: Cesare Casadei (Italy)

Cesare Casadei was one of the top talents in the World Cup, the youngster signed for Chelsea earlier this season. The Chelsea youngster was the undeniable star of the FIFA U20 World Cup 2023, breaking a few records on the way.

After a brilliant performance at the FIFA U20 World Cup 2023 in Argentina, Casadei enshrined his name in Italian football history by becoming the first Italian player to score as many as seven goals at a single global international tournament. He also became the first European player to win the Golden Ball and the Golden Boot at the same U20 World Cup tournament.

Centre-midfield: Simone Pafundi (Italy)

Born on 14 March 2006 in Monfalcone, last year Pafundi became the youngest player to represent Italy’s senior side in over 100 years – and the third youngest of all time. That late five-minute cameo against Albania capped a remarkably rapid rise, with the youngster leaping straight from the U-17 set-up to full international level after just 20 minutes of first-team football for Udinese.

He's been showered in praise by Robert Mancini and been compared to Diego Maradona by Andrea Carnevale. In his country’s semi-final game versus Korea Republic at the FIFA U20 World Cup Argentina 2023, he curled a sumptuous free-kick into the top corner to snatch Italy a 2-1 win.

Right-wing: Luka Romero (Argentina)

The Argentinian is the youngest player ever to play in LaLiga, the son of the retired footballer Diego Romero, and his time at RCD Mallorca was exceptional which helped him sign for the Italian club Lazio.

He later became the youngest Argentine player to score in Serie A and the second-youngest Lazio player to score. He surprised everyone at the World Cup and was on fire for the host team Argentina, he scored one of the best goals of the FIFA U20 World Cup 2023.

Striker: Anderson Duarte da Silva (Uruguay)

Another Uruguayan who made the list is Defensor Sporting candidate, Anderson Duarte, who was a solid presence at the front for his nation. The 19-year-old scored one goal for his nation, he scored the only goal in the Round of 16 match against Gambia.

He was a part of the trophy-winning squad that won the FIFA U20 World Cup 2023, and he was also a part of the Runner-up squad in the South American U-20 Championship. He has been a part of this squad since 2021.

Striker: Marcos Leonardo (Brazil)

Marcos Leonardo was a goal machine for Brazil in this campaign, he scored five goals and provided one assist. The 20-year-old has racked up 140 appearances for the Brazilian side, Santos. He scored eight goals in 21 appearances this season.

He is a clinical finisher and an explosive presence in the box, his performances have alerted several Premier League clubs to his talents. Manchester United are leading the race to secure his signing, while Arsenal, Newcastle United and West Ham are also interested.