2019-20: Five best U-20 footballers to take the world by storm

Age isn't a barrier for either of these young sensations.

As our superstars grow older, we’re always on the lookout for fresh, emerging talents to take their space and to take world football to newer highs. We’re obsessed when these emerging players are given chances and minutes to prove themselves and we’re frantic in joy when they take their moment in the spotlight and show glimpses we’ve never seen before. In this piece, we at Khel Now take a look at the best U-20 footballers in the world.

5. Phil Foden

Having made a name for himself in the FIFA U-17 World Cup held in India, Phil Foden has been a consistent presence in the Manchester City squad. He got his early breakthrough in the U-17 World Cup where he won the Golden Ball as the best player of the tournament and since then, has been inching steadily to a starting place in City’s first team. [KH_ADWORDS type="3" align="center"][/KH_ADWORDS] Pep Guardiola has gushed about his obvious talent in public, calling him one of the best players he’s ever managed. Despite getting very limited action with Manchester City, as things stand, the hopes and expectations around him are huge. Most City fans expect 19-year-old Foden to be the natural successor to long-term City servant, David Silva who departs this summer.

4. Rodrygo Goes

Rodrygo is the second youngest player to score a hat-trick in the Champions League

You know a player is special when Real Madrid spill over 45 million euros to purchase his services at 18 years. Rodrygo, who’s now 19, has steadily grown with the club from the Spanish capital and is finding his feet among the elite in world football. He scored his first goal for the club on his debut against Osasuna and grabbed the headlines in every major sports outlet when he scored a perfect hat-trick against Galatasaray and provided an assist in the UEFA Champions League. Fast, direct and full of skills and tricks, he’s the second youngest player to score a hat-trick in the competition and is giving Real Madrid fans a lot to look forward to given his potential.

3. Erling Braut Haaland

One of the most obvious mentions in the list of best U-20 footballers in the world! Haaland got his first breakthrough in the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup where he won the Golden Boot. He got the world obsessed and talking about him in the group stages of the 2019 Champions League when he scored in the first game against Genk and then became only the second teenager after Karim Benzema to score in each of his first three appearances in the Champions League. Interestingly, he also netted a goal against the defending champions, Liverpool. [KH_ADWORDS type="4" align="center"][/KH_ADWORDS] Haaland went on to score an astonishing six goals in the first three group stage games and another against Napoli in the fourth game to become the first teenager to accomplish this feat of scoring in four consecutive matches. He extended the record after scoring against Genk once again and being the only teenager in the history of the competition to score in the first five games. Physical and formidable at the top and a serial goalscorer, Erling Braut Haaland signed for Borussia Dortmund in the winter transfer window for 20 million euros and will have the eyes of the world following him given his insane goal-scoring form.

2. Ansu Fati

What Ansu Fati has already accomplished at his age, few footballers can only dream of. He has burst into the scene with Barcelona and has been an instant revelation. Ansu made his debut for the first team as a 16-year-old, even before appearing for the B team and became the second youngest player to appear for the club in the match against Real Betis in July. He went on to become the youngest goalscorer for the club when he scored in a 2-2 draw to Osasuna a month later. And at 16 years and 304 days, Ansu Fati became the third youngest scorer in LaLiga’s history. The Spain U-21 international then grabbed the headlines for becoming the youngest to score and assist in the same game against Valencia in the history of the league. Moreover, at 16 years and 321 days, he also became the youngest to represent Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League. [KH_ADWORDS type="2" align="center"][/KH_ADWORDS] As a late substitute against Inter Milan at the San Siro, Ansu Fati became the youngest goalscorer in the history of the UEFA Champions League at 17 years and 40 days. No La Masia player, since the days of Lionel Messi, has shown as much confidence and talent as Ansu. Barcelona have every right to brag about their newest gem and undoubtedly one of the best U-20 footballers, who has been on a record-breaking spree.

1. Jadon Sancho

Another star of the U-17 FIFA World Cup in India, Jadon Sancho is probably the finest teenager in the game. He was the face of Dortmund in the previous season. An insane attacking talent on the wings, he is a force to be reckoned with for defenders who are often left chasing him on their heels. [KH_RELATED_NEWS title="Related News | Article Continues Below"][/KH_RELATED_NEWS] The maturity he displays for someone his age is incredible and probably only second to Kylian Mbappe. Sancho scored and assisted consistently in the 2018-19 season of the Bundesliga. He was also named in the Team of the Season having bagged 12 goals and provided 14 assists as an 18-year-old. He went on to break several Bundesliga records on the way and also became the first player born in the 2000s to score in the Champions League against Atletico Madrid. His relationship with Dortmund has blown hot and cold this season after agreeing to new deal in August 2019. However, the biggest European clubs have Sancho on their radar and given his talent, potential and maturity, they will have no second thoughts on breaking the bank for him. Arguably the best in the lot of rising the U-20 footballers in the world!