Top Five: World’s talented teenagers

Renato Sanches – Age: 19

Like Rashford, Sanches has not progressed in the manner that many would have expected him too. However, the Portuguese teenager made such an impact in his break-through year that he must be considered as one of the most talented youngsters in world football.

Known primarily for his physical capabilities despite his young age, Sanches made his debut for Benfica at the age of 18 and immediately established himself as a regular starter. The teenager ended his club campaign with 35 appearances in all competitions, scoring 2 goals.

Sanches’ superb season was identified by Fernando Santos and thus the youngster was rewarded with a call up to Portugal’s national team. Despite his age, Sanches would go on to play a prominent role in Portugal’s European Championship triumph as he was named European Championship Young Player of the Tournament. A few months later he was also named as 2016’s Golden Boy.

Sanches had made such an impact on world football that he was the subject of interest from a host of the world’s top clubs. Despite Manchester United being heavily linked with him, Sanches would eventually join Bayern Munich in a deal worth up to €80 million.

But the Golden Boy winner has struggled to adapt to life in Germany, and thus far the competition for places has been too much for the youngster to handle. He has therefore spent a large majority of this season on the bench; raising doubts about his potential.

But at only 19-years of age, Sanches has a number of years to build on the form he showed at Benfica and for Portugal in Euro 2016. With the impending retirement of Xabi Alonso, Sanches could be the main beneficiary as he looks to ignite his career at the German club.