A host of talented youngsters made a name for themselves across Europe in the 2018/19 season.

We’ve selected seven of the most exciting players under the age of 21 who look on track to have long and successful careers at the highest level….

Joao Felix

Hailed as the ‘next Cristiano Ronaldo’, Joao Felix certainly has a lot of pressure on his young Portuguese shoulders. But the skilful midfielder lived up to that hype in his debut season with Benfica as he registered 19 goals and eight assists. A playmaking sensation with an incredible passing range, Felix seems to operate with eyes in the back of his head. A man that can create off the striker but also on the wing, he looks set for a big-money transfer this summer

Matthijs de Ligt

One of the most impressive young players of this generation is commanding centre-back Matthijs de Ligt. A proper defender with fantastic leaderships skills, the strong Dutchman has also proved a threat in the opposition penalty area from set pieces. Ajax made him their youngest ever captain at 18 and, by 19, he had played over 130 competitive matches, plus captained the Amsterdam club to a league and cup double. Already a regular in the Netherlands national team and set to sign with Italian champions Juventus, the sky’s the limit for Matthijs de Ligt.

Dan-Axel Zagadou

Imposing 6ft 5in centre-back Dan-Axel Zagadou’s potential has been too hard for Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund to ignore. Despite having more experienced players in his position, the German side have shown faith in their France-born starlet by giving him regular game time. A good reader of the game, versatile, and comfortable on the ball, the former Paris Saint-Germain youth player has all the attributes to develop into a world star many have predicted he will become.

Nicolo Zaniolo

Playmaker Nicolo Zaniolo’s flair sees him regarded as a player with great potential for the future. Easy to spot with his 6ft 3in frame, the creative midfielder is equipped with fantastic technique and a great passing range. The Italian can play a number of positions across the middle and the frontline which he showed in an eye-catching first season at AS Roma. Zaniolo’s performances saw him awarded his first Italy senior caps and he looks set for a long career at both club and international level.

Kai Havertz

If you ask many German football fans who their next big star will be they are likely to say Kai Havertz. A technically gifted attacking midfielder who is comfortable with both feet, he’s been compared to World Cup winner Mesut Ozil. Still just 20, the creator has played over 100 matches for Bayer Leverkusen, where he is the club’s youngest ever player and goalscorer. Havertz, who averages a goal every four matches, also became the first man born in 1999 to represent the Germany national team.

Vinicius Junior

One of the most talented youngsters on the planet, Vinicius Junior has the lot. Pace, skill, vision and the ability to glide past defenders, the Brazilian has been labelled by many in his homeland as the ‘next Neymar’. The forward’s move to Real Madrid for £38million in 2018 didn’t shock those who had seen him play at Flamengo. Still just aged 19, Vinicius, who’s broke into the Madrid first-team and scored his first goals for Los Blancos in 2018/19, seems to have the world firmly at his feet.

Moise Kean

Exciting forward Moise Kean has been turning heads in Italy with his all-action displays. A player that possesses strength, power, pace and intelligence on the pitch, he gives defenders nightmares on a weekly basis. Kean is the first player born in the 2000s to make an appearance and score in one of Europe’s five major leagues, to play in the Champions League, and to score a goal for the Italy national team. The talented attacker has also won two Serie A titles with Juventus and we expect there will be plenty more to come.