11
VInICIUS JR
Age 21 Club Real Madrid
Nationality Brazilian
Position ForwardTHE LOWDOWN When Real Madrid agreed
to a whopping €46m deal for a 16-year-old
Vinicius in May 2017, he’d played only one
game for Flamengo. The Brazilian live wire
formally joined the following summer, mere
weeks after Juventus-bound Cristiano
Ronaldo had vacated his left-wing position.
It took Vinicius a little while to settle, and at
first he was inconsistent under the burden
of unrealistic expectations from a baying
Bernabeu crowd. Things are totally different
in 2021. A boy forced to grow up fast has
become key, forging a healthy understanding
with Karim Benzema – once caught on
camera telling team-mate Ferland Mendy
not to pass to Vinicius – and deciding several
matches on his own. Speedy and tricky,
Vinicius’ form will make him hard to ignore
for Brazil coach Tite’s World Cup starting XI.
THEY SAID... “Vinicius will be a Real Madrid
legend,” said iconic left-back Roberto Carlos.
BEST MOMENT Destroying Liverpool with
two goals and a sensational display in Los
Blanco’s 3-1 Champions League last-eight
win in April. Marca’s headline: ‘Vini, Vidi, Vici.’12
EDUARDO CAMAVInGA
Age 19 Club Real Madrid
Nationality French
Position Central midfielderTHE LOWDOWN French fans began falling in
love with Camavinga two years ago. Rennes’
baby-faced midfielder could do everything
effortlessly and was named Ligue 1 Player of
the Month before even celebrating his 17th
birthday, thanks to a superb performance
against PSG as Rennes won 2-1. Camavinga
combines a combative style with sublime
skill, and is equally good with and without
the ball. His first full season was so good that
Didier Deschamps called him up for France,
when the starlet became Les Bleus’ youngest
player (and scorer) since 1914. Guaranteed
starts for new club Real Madrid and country
are a little way off yet, but time is just one of
the many things in his favour.
THEY SAID... “Technically and physically, he
is a monster, everything he does is perfect –
he’s the modern midfielder by definition,”
tooted ex-Rennes pal Hatem Ben Arfa.
DID YOU KNOW? In 2020, Rennes’ owners
fired president Olivier Letang for opening talks
with Madrid without their knowledge. New
owners reinstated him – this time as CEO –
a few months later.FourFourTwo December 2021 4722 FOR
202213
AnSU FATI
Age 19 Club Barcelona
Nationality Spanish
Position ForwardTHE LOWDOWN From this season, Fati is
officially Lionel Messi’s heir at Barcelona,
having taken the departed Flea’s No.10 shirt.
Now, the 19-year-old – touted for Camp Nou
greatness since joining La Masia aged 10 –
has even more expectations on his slender
shoulders. The Guinea Bissau-born striker
made his La Liga debut aged 16 in August
2019, becoming Barça’s youngest player
since 1941, and impressed with his level of
maturity and decision-making. “He got my
attention from the very first time I saw him
training,” admitted Messi. Two goals in his
first three games didn’t hurt either. Eight
strikes in his first season was remarkable,
and Fati’s 2020-21 campaign started even
better – until a knee injury forced him out for
almost a year. With Messi gone, he’s now an
ailing club’s biggest hope. Gulp.
DID YOU KNOW? As a kid with Sevilla, Fati
idolised Jesus Navas – and made his senior
Spain debut in September 2020 by replacing
the former Manchester City man.
THEY SAID... “His self-confidence just isn’t
normal,” shrugged Spain coach Luis Enrique.