Benjamin Trussel
1. Kylian Mbappé
This 20 year old is already an established superstar. Forcing himself onto every big club's wish list by playing an incredible season at Monaco at just 18 and ultimately ending up at Paris Saint-Germain, he then forced himself onto the world's best list by playing an incredible year in 2018, often outshining co-star Neymar. To top it off, he helped carry France to victory in the World Cup last year with his pace, skill, and finishing ability. All this at just 19. Now 20, Mbappé is again having a great year. It is no question that he will be among the best for years to come.
2. VinÃcius Júnior
Good Brazilian kids get hyped up all the time. If an exciting prospect comes to Europe, they are hailed as the next Neymar, Ronaldhino, etc. but rarely do these players shine as quickly as VinÃcius. He is already lighting up Spain with his incredible skill and speed with the ball, and will likely be one of the main men after Real Madrid inevitably make some cuts to their aging squad this summer. Though he needs to work on his finishing abilities, this guy is fun to watch in the classic Brazilian style of flair and talent. At just 18, we think he will turn out to be quite the player and maybe become a legend of his own.
3. Frenkie de Jong
After defeating none other than VinÃcius Jr. and Real Madrid with Ajax this month, Frenkie de Jong stood out among the Dutch side and boosted his already building reputation. A truly elegant player with calmness, strength, and composure on the ball, this 21 year old Dutchman is inspiring to watch. Central midfield is not a place for the immature player, but de Jong shows maturity and quality that are rare among younger players. He shows a Barcelona-esque style of play, even bringing out Andres Iniesta's signature "La Croqueta" move on Luka Modrić in the aforementioned game. Clearly Barcelona agrees, because they moved hard for him in the last transfer window and reportedly made a pre-contract agreement. With this agreement already made to join the Spanish club this summer, de Jong will definitely be a player to watch as he continues his rise in Spain next season.
4. Ousmane Dembélé
Hefty expectations come with a hefty price tag. After a $118 million transfer to Barcelona, expectations were through the roof for the now 21 year old Frenchman, and he failed to live up to the hype. At first. Now that he's settled in, Dembélé has been showing off his talent at ridiculous levels. If you can manage to have a moment to shine on the same team as Lionel Messi, you're doing something right. In a Barcelona team that focuses on possession and slow build-ups, Dembélé's completely opposite style of electric pace on the quick counter provides a great option for the team to switch up the game plan.
5. Christian Pulisic
Captain America. This 20 year old American signed a contract with Chelsea for $73 million in January, making him far and away the highest ever transfer fee for an American, but for good reason. He is, with all respect to Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan, the most technically proficient and naturally talented American player to date. His pace, dribbling abilities, and classy finishing make him a deadly force on the wing. His pairing with the exciting young Englishman Hudson-Odoi will be extremely fun to watch next season, should Hudson-Odoi remain at the club. His tireless energy and drive to create opportunities make him so exciting to watch, so he will need to put both on full display in his next season at Chelsea, which will likely be defining for his young career one way or another.