Who will be the best young player at the World Cup 2022? 

An unknown 17-year-old named Pele in 1958, Michael Owen in 1998, Ronaldinho in 2002, Mario Götze in 2014 - every football World Cup sees young stars explode into the popular consciousness and Qatar 2022 is no different.

There simply isn't enough space to talk about all the rising stars here, take a look at France's squad along with the likes of Aurelien Tchouameni (22), Eduardo Camavinga (19), Kylian Mbappe (23), William Saliba (21), Jules Kounde (23).

There was Spain's dazzling duo of Gavi and Pedri. Or how about Brazil's attacking treasure chest including Vinicius Jr (22), Richarlison (25), Rodrygo (21), all playing alongside a certain Olympic champ called Neymar.

Sadly we don't see certain superstars on football's greatest stage like Haaland and Odegaard, but most of the worlds next-gen were - or still are in Qatar.

Here are nine young players shining at FIFA World Cup 2022, many of whom were born after January 1, 2001 and could therefore win the official FIFA Young Player Award in Qatar.

But who will take home the coveted trophy?

Goncalo Ramos (Portugal)

Born: 2001

Club: Benfica

Many may not have known the name Goncalo Ramos when scanning the World Cup squads selected to represent their countries in Qatar.

But after starting for Portugal, in place of Cristiano Ronaldo, in their round-of-16 clash against Switzerland, it is a name that no one can stop talking about.

The 21-year-old ran rampant in their emphatic 6-1 victory over the Swiss on Tuesday (6 December), and he was the man of the hour after netting a hat-trick – the first of the tournament.

His incredible strike to open the scoring from a tight angle set the precedent for his evening, going on to net twice in the second half to cement a night he will never forget. The youngster already has nine goals and one assist for Premeira Liga side Benfica so far this season, and that prolific form has translated seamlessly to the big stage.

Unfortunately for Ramos, however, his World Cup triumph was short-lived after Portugal fell to Morocco in the quarter-finals. The youngster retained his place ahead of Ronaldo for their narrow 1-0 defeat last Saturday (10 December), but the attack just could not formulate any clear-cut chances to unlock a resolute defense. 

He may be a late-comer to the rising star scene for some, but he is here to stay - and we don't think this will be the last we see of Ramos on the world stage, either.

Bukayo Saka (England)

Born: 2001

Club: Arsenal

After the heartbreak of missing a penalty in England’s loss to Italy at Euro 2020, held in 2021, the Arsenal winger has shown formidable mental strength to come back bigger and better.

The Gunners are sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League table following a brilliant start to their new campaign, and Saka has been at the heart of it.

In 14 games, the 21-year-old registered 10 goal involvements – four goals, six assists. He also wears the responsibility of designated penalty taker with comfort, stepping up for his team when it counts.

Saka earned his place in Gareth Southgate’s World Cup squad and has shown exactly why he was selected.

The Arsenal academy graduate netted a brace in his tournament debut when England ran out 6-2 winners against the Islamic Republic of Iran, and responded to being handed a start in their round-of-16 tie against Senegal with the third and final goal of the night.

The Three Lions have a plethora of talent going forward, and Saka being selected as one of Southgate’s staple forwards in their last-eight clash with France was a testament to the quality he brings to the side. His quick one-two play in and around the area is what won England their first penalty of the night, converted by Harry Kane. 

Unfortunately for Saka, though, it was more international heartbreak as France narrowly defeated them and sent them home agonisingly close to the final. At just 21, this won't be the last we see of this talented winger.

Aurelien Tchouameni (France)

Born: 2000

Club: Real Madrid

What? Sell Casemiro?

The world gasped as Real Madrid's iconic midfield trinity of Kroos-Casemiro-Modric was broken up with the Brazilian's big-noise move to Manchester United.

But Carlo Ancelotti remained unflustered as he knew who was stepping up behind him, the supremely calm Aurelien Tchouameni.

A defensive midfielder who learned his trade at Bordeaux and then Monaco, it looks like Real Madrid's defensive midfield duties could be in safe hands for another decade with Tchouameni.

With tactical awareness, technical brilliance, a natural instinct for positioning, and an eye for goal, Tchoumeni has helped Real Madrid to the top of La Liga and their Champions League group with the kind of quietly confident football that you need from a world-class DM.

Tchouameni has shone so far in Qatar with France hoping to defend their World Cup title.

Controlling the middle of the park and nipping any imminent attacks in the bud, the 22-year-old is showing a maturity beyond his years - and this has shown no sign of letting up. The tenacious midfield man struck gold in their quarter-final tie with England, striking from long-range and hitting the back of the net to give his nation the lead.

He may have given the penalty away that allowed England back into the game, but his presence in the middle of the park helped the French see out a 2-1 victory. In a game of fine margins, Tchouameni was on-hand to tip them in favour of the 2018 world champions.

European giant toppler Morocco proved a different kind of task for France in the semi-final, with the tournament's surprise package dominating across the pitch despite France beating them 2-0, but Tchouameni was a constant fixture in what was an entertaining midfield battle. 

It has been a meteoric rise for the young midfielder - when France won the World Cup in 2018, he had just finished his first season with Bordeaux. Now a Real Madrid player, he will likely feature in what will be the most important game of his career so far. 

France will take on Argentina in the final on Sunday (18 December).

Jamal Musiala (Germany)

Born: 2003

Club: Bayern Munich

Forever candidates to lift the World Cup, the four-time winners Germany always have a young ace in the pack ready to step up at the biggest tournament.

Born in Germany but raised in England, Jamal Musiala spent eight years in the Chelsea academy after a brief spell at Southampton before joining Bayern Munich aged 16.

Now 19, he had a hand in 15 goals - nine goals, six assists - in Bayern's first 14 Bundesliga matches this season to raise expectation to fever pitch.

The youngest player to represent Germany at a World Cup, Musiala was welcomed to the unpredictability of the showcase tournament when Japan produced a stunning upset in their opening game.

And a 1-1 draw with Spain in their second match, with the youngster providing flashes of inspiration in the second half, but Musiala's tournament came to a premature end when Germany were knocked out following Japan's win against the Spaniards in their final group game.

Despite the early exit, Musiala was a constant presence for the Germans and took his opportunity to show the world what he can do. There is a reason why this team dictates play through him, both technically sound on the ball and hard to budge off it, he is integral to his club and country.

At 19, this surely won't be the last time we see this superstar on the world stage.

Enzo Fernandez (Argentina)

Born: 2001

Club: Benfica

21-year-old Enzo Fernandez took the liberty of introducing himself to the world stage when he scored a sublime goal in Argentina’s must-win game against Mexico at the World Cup.

But this is a player that is widely regarded as one of the best up-and-coming midfielders in the world, recently securing a move to Portugal outfit Benfica.

He honed his craft in his home country, playing for River Plate. Eight goals and six assists in 20 games were enough to have clubs courting for his signature, and he’s taking his chance in Qatar to prove why that was the case.

Fernandez is an anchor in the center of midfield, dictating play and helping the ball flow from defence to attack in a seamless fashion. His excellent reading of the game makes him key in transition moments, with anticipation and reading of the game a core quality.

He has started Argentina’s last two games, and despite an unfortunate own goal in a 2-1 win against Australia in the round-of-16, is rapidly showing why he can be key in their bid for glory. And his form carried on into the last-eight match with the Netherlands, where he played 120 minutes and showed guts to step up and take a crucial penalty.

Despite his spot-kick being saved, the South Americans still progressed, and Fernandez demonstrated his fearlessness to stand front and center for his nation when it matters most - a mentality that will surely take him far.

Fernandez was once again called upon by Lionel Scaloni for their semi-final game against and, faced with the challenge of holding the fort in midfield against the likes of Luka Modric, he stepped up to the occasion. A commanding performance in the middle of the park helped his nation to a 3-0 convincing win, which could see the 21-year-old feature in the World Cup final on Sunday (18 December).

Vinicius Jr (Brazil)

Born: 2000

Club: Real Madrid

Competition for Antony includes Vini Jr, the man who scored the winning goal at the most recent Champions League final.

His 22-goal haul for Los Blancos last season was second only to Karim Benzema, and he was named UEFA Champions League Young Player of the Season.

Not bad for a 22-year-old, and Vini doesn't look like slowing down anytime soon either with 10 goals and three assists in 20 games this season across La Liga and the Champions League.

While he hasn't been quite as prolific with Brazil - just one goal in his last eight matches - Vini Jr is part of a Brazilian setup that hasn't tasted defeat in three years.

While it's difficult to call Vini a 'breakout star' with everything he's achieved, this could be his World Cup.

It certainly started well, as Vinicius Jr and Richarlison combined to deadly effect in the opening 2-0 win over Serbia with both goals scored by the latter.

A 1-0 victory over Switzerland thanks to Casemiro's late goal meant their final group game loss to Cameroon did not impact their route to the knockouts.

And that's where Brazil really began to put their foot down, blowing away the Republic of Korea with a thumping 4-1 victory, that Vinicius scored in, to set up a last-eight battle with Croatia on Friday (9 December).

But the Brazilians never really hit the ground running in that crucial tie, going on to lose on penalties after two extra-time goals kept the game level at 1-1. Vinicius did not see out the full game, with Tite opting to change things late on - but at 22, we're witnessing just the start of this young man's bright career.

Jude Bellingham (England)

Born: 2003

Club: Borussia Dortmund

With four goals in five Champions League matches so far this season for Dortmund, Jude Bellingham has lived up to the billing in Qatar.

The breakout star already has several records to his name: youngest-ever first-team player at Birmingham City at 16, youngest Borussia Dortmund goalscorer in history at the time at 17 years and two months, youngest Englishman (17 years and 113 days) to start a Champions League match, and the second youngest (17 years and 281 days) to score in the competition.

The midfield dynamo is now also the second youngest scorer for England at a World Cup, claiming his first senior international goal against the Islamic Republic of Iran in a 6-2 win at Qatar 2022.

This is a man in a rush to the top.

"We don't even know how good he is. We're trying to figure out where his limit is going to be," says his current club coach Edin Terzic.

In the round of 16, he became the first teenager to assist in the knockout stages of a World Cup since records began. Bellingham's talent quite simply knows no bounds, and his role in this England team is allowing him to express them to the best of his ability.

Unfortunately for Bellingham, and for viewers who have enjoyed watching him, his time in Qatar was cut short after England fell to a last-eight defeat against 2018's reigning champions France. One thing that stood out in that clash was his mentality for a 19-year-old. After Harry Kane missed a penalty, having already scored one, this young man was the first to approach his captain and encourage him to lift his head up and keep fighting for that equalising goal. 

Not only does he have all the qualities of a truly generational talent on the pitch, but he has the leadership skills on and off that will ensure he goes all the way to the top.

Gavi (Spain)

Born: 2004

Club: Barcelona

One of Xavi's prodigies rebuilding Barca right now, there is so much expected of this exciting young talent.

Already receiving recognition for his work, Gavi was awarded the Kopa trophy for the best young player in the world at the Ballon d'Or gala in October 2022.

At 18, he's already a fixture in the Blaugrana midfield and his coach Xavi - a World Cup winning midfield general - is not surprised in the slightest.

After a Gavi-inspired 3-0 win over Sevilla in September, Xavi said: "I see him train every day. It’s down to hard work, discipline and heart. He was the best player in the game because of his intensity, fight, passing, high pressing – he has heart in his legs."

Gavi won't be the only young Spanish star of the future. His teammate and fellow teenager Pedri knows how to light it up as well.

Pedri is already an Olympic silver medallist, unable in the end to match Messi and Guardiola, but he and Gavi are Spain's future.

It's certainly started well for them at the Qatar World Cup. The pair played their part in Spain's opening 7-0 demolition of Costa Rica with Gavi scoring Spain’s fifth goal.

But after a defeat to Japan left them second in the group, a round-of-16 clash against Morocco would see Luis Enrique's side bow out in one of the biggest shocks of the tournament so far.

0-0 after 90 mintues and extra-time, the game was settled on penalties - and despite admitting to practising shootouts relentlessly, Enrique watched his players miss three spot kicks to seal their exit.

Although he won't be seeing silverware with his country this time round, Gavi is a player fated to go to the very top - and when he is on his game, very little can get in his way of achieving that.