WITH the UK and Ireland CONFIRMED to be hosting Euro 2028 today, it’s time to look ahead to what the tournament could look like when it rolls around in five years.
Here’s a list of 11 of the hottest prospects that could be lighting up the likes of Wembley and the Principality Stadium by the time the tournament comes around.
Mathys Tel, 18, France
After Harry Kane’s £100million move to Bayern it’s natural that the England captain grabs the bulk of game time and media attention in Munich.
But in Mathys Tel, he has a more than capable back-up and eventual successor waiting in the wings.
Tel has made 11 appearances this season and despite starting just two of these, has racked up six goals and one assist in his 310 minutes of football.
Evan Ferguson, 18, Ireland
One of the host nations, Ireland will be hoping that 18-year-old Evan Ferguson will be in the prime of his career by the time Euro 2028 rolls around.
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Trying to put an estimate on his ceiling right now feels impossible, with the striker undergoing another impressive start in his sophomore year in the Premier League.
His four goals in eight league games so far have seen the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United put on alert for a transfer fee of at least £100m.
Arda Guler, 18, Turkey
Guler had Barcelona and Real Madrid fighting to sign him this summer – with Madrid eventually winning out with a presentation to his family outlining how he would be a jewel in the team’s crown for years to come alongside Jude Bellingham.
The wonderkid was then unveiled as a Madrid player by Florentino Perez in a lavish ceremony that saw him wipe away his mother’s tears of pride at her son’s move.
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Unfortunately for the attacking midfielder, he suffered an injury to his meniscus in pre-season, meaning he is still yet to make an appearance for Los Blancos.
Lamine Yamal, 16, Spain
Yes you read that right, Lamine Yamal is just 16 years old – and yet, he’s already a first-team regular for Barcelona and the national side.
Yamal holds the record bot for the youngest player ever to score in LaLiga (16 years, 87 days) and the youngest ever player to both play and score for Spain (16 years, 57 days).
Such is his increasingly vital role in the national team, he was seen limping through Barcelona airport to join up with Spain despite visibly carrying an injury.
Rico Lewis, 18, England
After his starring role at Leipzig in the Champions League last week Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola described Lewis as “one of the best I’ve trained, by far.”
Lewis broke into the City team last season as a full-back but Pep has now pushed him into midfield after being impressed by his performances in training.
Lewis has only played twice for England’s under-21 side but it feels like a matter of time before he breaks into Gareth Southgate’s side.
Warren Zaire-Emery, 17, France
Zaire-Emery reflects PSG’s new club vision of moving away from superstars and towards homegrown stars.
The Paris born-and-bred lad has already made himself a fan favourite by leading the Paris ultras with chants after victories.
Zaire-Emery has made 10 appearances this season, starting in 88 per cent of those matches.
Kobbie Mainoo, 18, England
United’s deal for Sofyan Amrabat was held up by the impressive performances of Kobbie Mainoo in pre-season.
The midfielder was having another great game in a friendly with Real Madrid before damaging his ankle ligaments and subsequently missing the start of the 2023-24 season.
But the Old Trafford faithful are eagerly anticipating the return of a player they believe could play a key first-team role by the end of the season with Mainoo now on the cusp of a return.
Youssoufa Moukoko, 18, Germany
The Cameroon born German international broke into Dortmund’s first-team last year and immediately put Europe’s top clubs on alert.
But despite scoring seven and assisting four times in 26 Bundesliga appearances last season he now finds himself down the pecking order at Dortmund.
Chelsea, Real Madrid, Liverpool and RB Leipzig all showed interest in the forward last season but a loan to FC Koln or Werder Bremen this year looks more likely as he looks for first team minutes.
Ben Doak, 17, Scotland
At just 17, Ben Doak has already made eight appearances for Liverpool.
The tricky winger has impressed in his brief cameos in a Liverpool shirt and manager Jurgen Klopp described his performance against Leicester in pre-season as “special”
Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, 19, England
Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Bynoe-Gittens has been tipped as the club’s ‘next Bellingham’ as he looks to emulate the Madrid midfielder’s rise to the top of the game.
He’s already played three times in the Bundesliga and twice in the Champions League for the yellow submarine and looks set to nail down a regular place in the team by the end of the 2023-24 season.
Francesco Camarda, 15, Italy
At 15, Camarda is far less experienced than the rest of the wonderkids on this list – but he’s still tipped for greatness.
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In AC Milan’s academy, he is said to have hit an unfathomable 483 goals in just 86 matches before the age of 13.
Both Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund have looked to prise the young Italian away from Milanello according to reports.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
