Top Five: World’s talented teenagers

Gianluigi Donnarumma – Age: 18

The AC Milan stopper is the youngest player on this list, but despite his age he is perhaps the most experienced. Donnarumma got his breakthrough as he made his debut in 2015; at the age of just 16.

Despite AC Milan having two established and well-respected goalkeepers in the form of Diego Lopez and Christian Abbiati, the youngster took the opportunity when it was given to him and he has embraced it with open arms.

When the Italian got his chance in the first team, he became the second youngest goalkeeper to ever appear in Serie A. Since that momentous day in 2015, Donnarumma has not looked back and he has already appeared in 61 league games for AC Milan.

The 6’5″ shot-stopper has also made the transition onto the world stage. He has made three appearances for his national side; in the process becoming the youngest goalkeeper to ever appear for Italy.

Now 18, Donnarumma continues to break records and he has now established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in Italian football. With legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon at the end of a glittering career, Donnarumma looks like his natural successor as Italy’s number one. Who knows, maybe Donnarumma could go on to become an even better goalkeeper than Buffon himself?