Written by: Aashutosh Pudasaini - 22002, Grade XII
Posted on: 01 December, 2021
With Ronaldo Turning 36 this year and Messi turning 35, It looks like after more than 20 years of domination at the top the “Messi-Ronaldo Era” is nearing its end. It’s only natural for great players to bid their farewell to the beautiful game and pass on the torch to the new “GOATS” and it looks like Football Fans all around the world have already found the new Messi and Ronaldo.
Kylian Mbappe, The French speedster is seemingly one of the future “GOATS” with having won Ligue A Top Scorer for 3 years straight and having won a world cup at the age of 18. It is without a doubt that he is the future of France’s and Real Madrid/PSG’s future. Another big name that’s thrown around in this debate is Erling Haaland. The Norwegian Machine is definitely a player to look out for in the near future. The goal-scoring machine has the most champions league goals scored by a youngster. Both the Manchester clubs have brilliant young stars Jadon Sancho, Mason Greenwood, Phil Foden and Cole Palmers and they have particularly shown their class. Greenwood is an incredible talent with an eye for goal and Foden has proven himself to be one of the best all-around talents in Europe. Chelsea’s Mason Mount has established himself as a fixed starter under Tomas Tuchel, the young Brit is arguably the best CAM in the world right now. This list would not be complete without Spain’s next generation of talent. Barcelona’s young Pedri won UEFA Euros best young player and aims to follow the path of Barcelona’s midfield maestros like Xavi and Iniesta, Ansu Fati is also a talent to look out for in Barcelona. He is the youngest player to score in a champions league game Many Believe that He’ll fill the boots of Barcelona Legend Messi. Hard as it may seem with the talent he has it wouldn’t be a surprise, Gavi and Eric Garica are both incredibly talented youngsters both aiming to replace their idols, Xavi and Puyol. This list would be incomplete without Real Madrid's deadly Brazilian duo of Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Silva. Vinicius is one of the best dribblers in the world right now if he keeps playing as he has, without doubt, He’ll leave his own legacy at Real Madrid.
The Future of Football is in great hands and for that, the Academies are to thank, Ajax’s academy has produced countless talented players like Johan Cruyff, Luis Suarez, Zlatan Ibravomich and more recently Frenkie De Jong, Van De Beek and Matthias De Ligt. Barcelona’s La Masia is also a talent generating powerhouse having generated talents like Messi, Puyol, Xavi, Iniesta, Guardiola, Luis Enrique, Pique, Busquets and more recently Gavi, Eric Garcia, Ansu Fati. Looking at the players we can say that the next generation will be just as good as if not better than the “Messi-Ronaldo Era”
