‘Catch ’em young’ is well and truly the mantra of European elites of the game, and as a result, youngsters like Ansu Fati and Erling Haaland have already become household names.

For that reason, we are not going to include these veritable football superstars in the list we are compiling today. Instead, we will bring to you five other young, talented players who are set for long and prosperous careers in the top echelons of the game in the years to come.

Note: Not included are regular first-team youngsters like Bukayo Saka, Mason Greenwood and Pedri, among others

#5 Eduardo Camavinga | 17, Rennes, CM

It is a testament to Eduardo Camavinga’s talent that he has already found a place in the World Cup-winning France team full of a galaxy of stars.

The Rennes midfielder’s breakout season was 2019-20, where he appeared 36 times for the club as they finished third in Ligue 1. Camavinga is both disciplined and confident. His assured touch belies his age and he is going to be one of the midfielders to look out for in the near future.

The Angola-born player has started where he left off last season, having already notched up a goal and an assist.

#4 Harvey Elliott | 17, Liverpool (Blackburn on loan), RW

His records speak for themselves. The youngest player to ever play in the EFL as well as the Premier League, Harvey Elliott is a superstar in the making.

When the England U-17 international was signed by English champions Liverpool, he had also garnered interest from both Real Madrid and Paris St-Germain.

In 28 appearances for the Reds across various competitions, he showed flashes of his brilliance and has continued in the same vein this season during a lone spell at Blackburn. He prefers to play on the right of an attacking triangle where his blistering pace and skills come into effect.

#3 Lee Kang-in | 19, Valencia, AM

It won’t be an exaggeration to say that South Korean Lee Kang-in is the most exciting talent to have emerged from Asia in recent times.

Already a winner of the FIFA U-20 World Cup Golden Ball and the AFC Asian Young Footballer of the Year Award, the teenager is already a key player for Valencia.

The attacking midfielder has already won a Copa Dey Rey with the club and has also been linked with Real Madrid. A brilliant dribbler and an assist king, Lee will be a household name in the coming years.

#2 Mohamed Ihattaren | 18, PSV, AM

He is just 18 and he is on top of the world, already. Moroccan-born Mohamed Ihattaren is already a Dutch international and plays a starring role for PSV in the Eredivisie.

Mere numbers cannot signify the excitement surrounding the playmaker in the Netherlands, though he notched up an impressive three goals and five assists for PSV last season.

There is hope that Ihattaren, who has always played in teams above his age group till the senior level, will become a midfield maestro for the Oranje in the years to come.

#1 Reinier | 18, Real Madrid (on loan at Dortmund), AM

There is no doubting the fact that Real Madrid have a great scouting system, especially in Latin America. Their proclivity to acquire gems from the continent has led them to sign attacking midfielder Reinier from Flamengo this year, whom they have now loaned out to Borussia Dortmund.

Los Blancos shelled out a humongous €35 million on the 18-year-old, who had only made his debut for the Brazilian side in July 2019. He made a breathtaking start for the club, notching up goals and assists with ease in Serie A.

The Brazil U23 international has already drawn comparisons with Kaka and some believe he has an even more complete game than the former Ballon d’Or winner. Only time will tell if those comparisons prove justified.

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