The stars of tomorrow shone once again in the Round of 16, with several of the tournament's brightest young talents dazzling on the biggest stage.
Ayyoub Bouaddi, Desire Doue, Nico O'Reilly and Lamine Yamal were among the standout performers, strengthening their claims for the , presented by Aramco, after helping their nations reach the quarter-finals.
Ahead of the last eight, FIFA takes a closer look at some of the leading contenders for the prize, which will be awarded to the World Cup's best player born on or after 1 January 2005.
A celebral midfielder who has pulled the strings throughout 's run to the quarter-finals, 's intelligence is evident on and off the pitch. The Lille teenager won a public-speaking competition at 15, completed his baccalaureate at 16 and is now studying for a degree in mathematics – smarts reflected in the composure he brings to the Atlas Lions' engine room. That calm authority is matched by a physical edge that belies his tender years, as learned first-hand in the Round of 16.
Bouaddi and Morocco head to face next in Boston, where they'll discover that while Kylian Mbappe and Michael Olise command the spotlight, is never far from it. The Paris Saint-Germain forward has already won the battle with Bouaddi once this year, claiming his second successive Ligue 1 Young Player of the Season award, and his silky performances have carried seamlessly into his first World Cup. The 21-year-old has started three of five games, scoring once and winning the decisive penalty that Mbappe converted to edge Les Bleus past last time out.
may yet be on a collision course with Morocco or France in the final. The Manchester City left-back has become a virtual ever-present for Thomas Tuchel's , featuring from the outset in four of their five matches and every victory. The only game he wasn't in the starting XI ended in a goalless draw with Ghana. Among England's regular starters, the 21-year-old ranks in the top three for pass completion and second for tackles won. He also came within inches of a maiden World Cup goal, striking the post in the Three Lions' in last 16.
coach Luis de la Fuente has had to manage 's minutes more carefully since his hamstring injury. The 18-year-old came off the bench on Matchday 1 as La Roja drew 0-0 with Cabo Verde, but has started every game since. After opening his World Cup account against Austria in the last 32, the Barcelona youngster completed his first full 90 minutes of the tournament against Portugal, showing flashes of his trademark brilliance as the 2010 champions with Belgium or co-hosts USA. Once the generational talent hits top gear, there may be no stopping him.
Sources: FIFA Official
