04
DOMInIK SZOBOSZLAI
Age 21 Club RB Leipzig
Nationality Hungarian
Position Attacking midfielderTHE LOWDOWN After 61 goal contributions
in just 83 appearances for Red Bull Salzburg,
Szoboszlai became the most expensive
Hungarian in history (€20m) when joining
sister club RB Leipzig in January 2021. Fans
had to wait eight months to get a glimpse of
their new man after he was sidelined with
injury, but it was worth the wait. Likened to
Ferenc Puskas by Lothar Matthaus, the gifted
playmaker is shining once again this season.
DID YOU KNOW? Szoboszlai and Borussia
Dortmund striker Erling Haaland are best
mates from their time in Salzburg. Having
joined the Austrian giants a year before the
Norwegian, Szoboszlai welcomed his new
pal in January 2019. “We went out together,
even though he doesn’t do that much,” said
the Hungarian, who presumably needs little
stimulation. “We became great friends.”
BEST MOMENT A stunning last-gasp goal
at home to Iceland in last November’s Euro
2020 play-off, which booked Hungary’s place
in the competition. Szoboszlai’s curling effort
in the 92nd minute was his final contribution
to the adventure, though, as he missed the
tournament through injury.03
JAMAL MUSIALA
Age 18 Club Bayern Munich
Nationality German
Position Attacking midfielderTHE LOWDOWN In June 2020, months after
his 17th birthday, Musiala became Bayern’s
youngest ever Bundesliga player – and soon
after, their youngest goalscorer. Tall, graceful
and an effortless dribbler, the teenager has
drawn comparisons with a young Dele Alli,
and can play as either a No.9 or a No.10. The
prodigious playmaker is seen as a long-term
successor to Thomas Muller in Die Roten’s
attack – and he’s already off the mark with
Germany for good measure.
DID YOU KNOW? Despite being the youngest
player ever to represent Germany in a major
international tournament at Euro 2020,
Stuttgart-born Musiala grew up in England
and attended Whitgift School in Croydon –
also attended by Callum Hudson-Odoi and
Bertrand Traore. He played for both nations
at youth level, admitting of his decision to
declare for Die Mannschaft: “I have a heart
for Germany and a heart for England. Both
hearts will keep on beating.”
THEY SAID... “He has unbelievable potential,”
beamed Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann.
“He has great finishing qualities as well as
unbelievable attacking and dribbling skills.”THE PRODIGIOUS
PLAYMAKER IS SEEn
AS A LOnG-TERM
SUCCESSOR TO
THOMAS MULLER
22 FOR
2022