With the 2010 FIFA World Cup fast approaching, all eyes are on world football's showpiece event. And although most of that attention is focused on the superstars of the game like Lionel Messi, Wayne Rooney, Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Fernando Torres, the World Cup is also a place for young up-and-comers to burst onto the international scene.
Michael Owen secured his status as an international superstar with two goals for England at the 1998 World Cup at the tender age of 18 and it begs the question, which youngster could make an impact at the 2010 edition?
We'll go group by group looking at the teams that have players under the age of 21 in their squads. Some may be complete unknowns while some may already have a name in the game.
Group A
France (0) -- Raymond Domenech has gone for, on paper, what looks like an experienced team with Hugo Lloris as their the youngest player at 23.
Mexico (2) -- Javier Aguirre’s squad is full of youth. Carlos Vela and Dos Santos Ramirez Giovanni are two players that will be under 21 during the tournament while players like Javier Hernandez and Adrian Aldrete will only turn 22 before the tournament starts. Vela signed for Arsenal after he blitzed the 2005 Under-17 World Cup, finishing as the top scorer. He can play upfront or on the left wing and is slowly starting to establish himself as a key member of the Mexican national team with eight goals to his name at international level. A good performance in South Africa may result in greater opportunities with Arsenal where he’s been used sparingly.
While Vela is starting to make his mark, Giovanni Dos Santos already commands a place in the Mexican national team. Part of the same Under-17 World Cup-winning Mexican team as Vela, Giovanni has also struggled at club level. With limited time at Barcelona, he moved to Tottenham where he also struggled due to concerns over his physical size and he has been farmed out on loan several times. At international level he has scored 5 goals for the Mexicans and contributed numerous assists.
American fans will remember him as the MVP of the 2009 Gold Cup where Mexico beat America on American soil for the first time in 10 years. Both players have blistering pace and incredible skill on the ball and will be tasked with leading the Mexican attack. Question is, can they handle the responsibility and expectation on their young shoulders?
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