Five young players to watch at Club World Cup
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(Clockwise from top left) River Plate's Franco Mastantuono, Palmeiras' Estevao Willian, FC Porto's Rodrigo Mora, PSG's Desire Doue and Juventus' Kenan Yildiz.
PHOTOS: AFP, EPA-EFE, REUTERS
Franco Mastantuono (Club: River Plate, Age: 17, Attacking midfielder)
Argentina’s Franco Mastantuono proving to be more than a handful as Chile’s Guillermo Maripan tries to keep him on a tight leash during the teen’s international debut in a 1-0 World Cup qualifying win for Albiceleste on June 5.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Widely regarded as the latest Argentinian football prodigy after his River debut in January 2024, the left-footed playmaker has established himself as a starter with coach Marcelo Gallardo’s Buenos Aires-based side.
This year, he has racked up seven goals and four assists in 19 games across all competitions for River, prompting Lionel Scaloni to hand him his first cap in Argentina’s 1-0 win over Chile in Santiago just a week ago. At 17 years and 296 days, he became La Albiceleste’s youngest debutant in a competitive match.
The talented teenager will get a chance to show why Real Madrid triggered his US$45 million (S$58 million) release clause in a deal that will be completed after the Club World Cup. River take on Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds (June 17), Mexican side Monterrey (June 21) and Italian giants Inter Milan (June 25) in Group E.
Estevao Willian (Palmeiras, 18, winger)
Brazil forward Estevao taking on Ecuador’s Piero Hincapie during a World Cup qualifier on June 5.
PHOTO: AFP
Hailed as the next big thing from Brazil since breaking Neymar’s record for most goal contributions by an Under-17 player in the country’s top flight in 2024, the Palmeiras winger will join Chelsea in a £56 million (S$97 million) deal after the Club World Cup.
Having already earned five caps for Brazil, Estevao was in the starting line-up during Carlo Ancelotti’s coaching debut for the Selecao a week ago.
The fleet-footed Brazilian, who has been compared to his idol Lionel Messi, is set to come up against Argentina’s World Cup-winning captain when Palmeiras meet Major League Soccer side Inter Miami on June 23, after other Group A encounters against Portuguese side FC Porto (June 15) and Al Ahly of Egypt (June 19).
Rodrigo Mora (FC Porto, 18, attacking midfielder)
FC Porto’s Rodrigo Mora attempting a shot during a match against GD Estoril Praia in March.
PHOTO: AFP
It is his debut season with the senior Porto side, but Mora’s statistics resemble those of a seasoned campaigner.
Despite starting just 16 times in the Primeira Liga, he registered 10 goals and four assists to help the Portuguese club finish third and clinch a Europa League spot.
While he has just signed a new five-year contract which includes a €70 million (S$103 million) release clause, it is unlikely to deter well-heeled admirers should he continue to shine.
Desire Doue (Paris Saint-Germain, 20, winger)
Germany defender Jonathan Tah closing down on France forward Desire Doue (in blue) during the Nations League third-place play-off on June 8.
PHOTO: AFP
The Champions League’s Young Player of the Season will have greater expectations to live up to, after playing a key role in Paris Saint-Germain’s historic triumph in Europe’s premier club competition.
Doue is the French word for “gifted” and the winger certainly fits that description, as he provided two goals and an assist to help PSG crush Inter Milan 5-0 in the Champions League final on May 31.
Fatigue could be a factor, though, as Doue had also turned out for France in the Nations League just days after that victory. With three Group B games in nine days (June 15 – Atletico Madrid, June 19 – Brazil’s Botafogo and June 23 – Seattle Sounders), coach Luis Enrique might have to look into managing his minutes.
Kenan Yildiz (Juventus, 20, forward)
Juventus’ Kenan Yildiz trying to get past Genoa’s Stefano Sabelli in a Serie A match in March.
PHOTO: AFP
The Turkey international was one of Juventus’ bright sparks last season, scoring seven goals as the Serie A side secured Champions League qualification.
Inheriting the No. 10 shirt, worn by Juve greats such as Alessandro del Piero and Roberto Baggio, did not seem to weigh him down.
If he catches the eye at the Club World Cup – Juventus face 2024 Asian champions Al Ain of UAE (June 18), Moroccan side Wydad (June 22) and Manchester City (June 26) in Group G – suitors might come knocking on his door.
