Lionel Messi and superstars who made impression in the U20 World Cup

Prior to achieving legendary status, many of the game's greatest players began their careers as hopefuls, prospects, and rising stars. Their journey towards immortality often included triumph in the Under-20 World Cup, a tournament that has been instrumental in shaping football icons.

Since its inception in 1977, the U20 World Cup, formerly known as the FIFA World Youth Championship until 2005, has provided a platform for numerous renowned players. Brazil and Argentina, in particular, have excelled in this competition, clinching the coveted trophy a combined total of 11 times. Many of the players who went on to define generations for these South American nations emerged from this prestigious tournament.

The likes of Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi have exemplified Argentina's tradition of producing some of the world's finest talents. Meanwhile, Brazilian stars Fernandinho and Oscar have etched their names in the tournament's history with remarkable goals. It is worth noting, however, that dominance in this competition extends beyond South American stars. A certain Norwegian prodigy burst into the limelight with an awe-inspiring display, showcasing one of the most dominant performances ever witnessed in football at any level.

Diego Maradona - 1979 FIFA U-20 World Cup

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The second edition of the U20 World Cup took place in 1979 and witnessed a remarkable breakout performance by one of football's legendary figures. Diego Armando Maradona, who would later attain god-like status in Argentine football, was just a teenager participating in the FIFA World Youth Championship. Maradona's six goals, combined with eight from Ramon Diaz, propelled Argentina to victory, culminating in a 3-1 triumph over the Soviet Union in the final.

Diego Maradona

While Diaz secured the Golden Boot for his goal-scoring exploits, Maradona was honored with the Golden Ball, foreshadowing the incredible journey that awaited him in the world of football.

Davor Suker - 1987 FIFA U-20 World Cup

Prior to becoming one of Croatia's all-time great players, Suker showcased his talents while representing Yugoslavia, helping them secure the trophy in 1987. The final match against West Germany was an intense affair, stretching into extra time and a nerve-wracking penalty shootout, as both teams managed to score goals after the 85th minute. Ultimately, Yugoslavia emerged as the victors, with Suker finishing as the runner-up for the Golden Boot, having scored an impressive six goals throughout the tournament.

Davor Suker

Although Suker narrowly missed out on a spot on the Golden Ball podium, the award was claimed by his Yugoslavian teammate Robert Prosinecky, with another compatriot, Zvonimir Boban, securing the second position.

Luis Figo and Rui Costa - 1991 FIFA U-20 World Cup

Following their triumph in 1989, Portugal managed to assemble an even more illustrious team for the 1991 tournament, held on home soil. The squad was adorned with future legends such as Figo and Rui Costa. The final showdown took place at Estadio da Luz, captivating an audience of over 125,000 passionate fans, as Portugal faced off against Brazil.

Luis Figo

Although the match ended without any goals scored during regular and extra time, both Figo and Rui Costa, who would later establish themselves as midfield icons, found the back of the net from the penalty spot during the shootout. Portugal emerged victorious, claiming the title in a thrilling contest.

Lionel Scaloni - 1997 FIFA U-20 World Cup

The Argentine team of 1997 laid the groundwork for a remarkable generation of players. Among the familiar faces in the squad that clinched the U20 World Cup in that year was Scaloni, who would later achieve World Cup glory as the manager of Argentina in 2022.

Lionel Scaloni

The team boasted an array of talented individuals, including Esteban Cambiasso, Pablo Aimar, Juan Roman Riquelme, and Walter Samuel, all of whom would go on to attain superstar status. In the final against Uruguay, Argentina emerged victorious with a 2-1 scoreline. Each of the mentioned players continued to contribute to their country's rich legacy in this tournament, leaving an indelible mark on Argentine football.

Xavi - 1999 FIFA U-20 World Cup

Spain's journey towards their World Cup triumph, which took place 11 years later, found its origins in Nigeria. Before establishing himself as one of the greatest midfielders of all time, Xavi served as Spain's maestro during their impressive run in 1999, culminating in a dominant 4-0 victory over Japan. Another notable presence in the Spanish squad was Iker Casillas, although the future Real Madrid icon was not initially the first-choice goalkeeper for the final match.

Xavi

Meanwhile, the tournament boasted a significant star in the form of Ronaldinho, who represented Brazil. Ronaldinho showcased his talent by scoring three goals in four matches before Brazil's eventual exit from the competition.

Javier Saviola - 2001 FIFA U-20 World Cup

Among the illustrious Argentinian players who have graced this tournament, none have achieved what Saviola accomplished on home soil in 2001. The talented forward left an indelible mark by scoring a remarkable 11 goals throughout the tournament, setting a record for the highest number of goals scored in a single edition of the U20 World Cup. As expected, he rightfully claimed the Golden Boot, surpassing formidable competitors such as Adriano and Djibril Cisse.

Javier Saviola

During his impressive run, the former Barcelona striker notched two hat-tricks and also found the back of the net in the final match. Argentina put on a dominant display, defeating Ghana 3-0 to secure their fourth U20 World Cup title. Saviola's exceptional performances solidified his place in the tournament's history and highlighted his exceptional talent.

Fernandinho - 2003 FIFA U-20 World Cup

Although not renowned for his goalscoring prowess, Fernandinho delivered a crucial strike in 2003. The future captain of Manchester City netted the decisive goal in the final held in the UAE, guiding Brazil to a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Spain, led by Andres Iniesta.

Fernandinho

Both Fernandinho and Iniesta would go on to achieve remarkable careers, but on this memorable day, it was Fernandinho who shone brightly for the Brazilian team that also boasted the talents of Dani Alves. His exceptional performance and winning goal ensured that he claimed the spotlight and played a pivotal role in securing the title for Brazil.

Lionel Messi - 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup

It foreshadowed what was to come. Prior to Qatar 2022, there was Netherlands 2005, a tournament that marked the beginning of Messi's international legacy.

Lionel Messi

The extraordinary forward showcased his brilliance by scoring two crucial goals in the final, leading Argentina to a 2-1 victory over Nigeria. It was a fitting conclusion to an outstanding performance by the young Barcelona prodigy. With a total of six goals throughout the tournament, Messi swept both the Golden Boot and Golden Ball awards, solidifying his status as a burgeoning superstar during his breakthrough at Camp Nou.

Initially, this triumph and his Olympic Gold Medal three years later stood as Messi's sole international accolades. However, those days are now a distant memory, as the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner has since etched his name in history as one of the game's most accomplished victors at every level.

Sergio Aguero - 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup

While Messi's brilliance may have overshadowed him in the 2005 team, there was no denying Aguero's impact when Argentina defended their crown two years later.

Despite failing to score as a 17-year-old in his initial appearances at the tournament, Aguero emerged as an unstoppable force during his second campaign, finding the net six times. With Aguero leading the charge, Argentina showcased their resilience by coming from behind to secure a 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic in the final.

Sergio Aguero

Among the squad were future World Cup champions Angel Di Maria and Alejandro 'Papu' Gomez, who tasted their first moments of glory with the national team. Aguero's outstanding performances added another layer to Argentina's success and highlighted his significant contribution to their triumph.

Oscar - 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup

The championship-winning Brazilian team boasted an abundance of talent, including Casemiro and Philippe Coutinho, who played instrumental roles in their victory over Portugal in the final.

However, it was Oscar who truly stole the limelight, leaving an indelible mark by becoming the first player ever to score a hat-trick in the final, propelling Brazil to a thrilling 3-2 triumph.

Oscar

This exceptional performance served as a significant springboard for the midfielder, paving the way for his subsequent move to Chelsea. Alongside his impressive display at the U20 World Cup, his contributions at the Olympics further solidified his reputation and aided in securing the transfer to the renowned English club.

Paul Pogba - 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup

Pogba's legacy as a leader will forever be tied to France's triumphant 2018 World Cup campaign. However, five years prior to hoisting the trophy in Russia, the talented midfielder showcased his leadership skills as the captain of Les Bleus in the U20 World Cup held in Turkey.

Pogba's exceptional performances throughout the tournament earned him the prestigious Golden Ball award. The culmination of his captaincy came in a tense goalless final against Uruguay, which France eventually won 4-1 in a thrilling shootout.

Paul Pogba

The U20 World Cup squad also boasted the talents of Florian Thauvin, Alphonse Areola, and Samuel Umtiti, all of whom would go on to be part of the French squad alongside Pogba in their victorious World Cup campaign five years later. The cohesive presence of these players showcased their immense potential and provided a glimpse of the success that awaited them on the global stage.

Fede Valverde - 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup

The 2017 edition of the tournament culminated in England claiming the championship title, yet the standout player of the competition came from a different team. Valverde showcased his brilliance for Uruguay, despite their loss in the semi-finals and subsequent defeat in the third-place match against Italy. His exceptional performance solidified his status as one of the most promising young midfielders in the world.

Fede Valverde

The following season, Valverde made a breakthrough at Real Madrid, where he has since become a pivotal player. His impressive displays and undeniable talent have ensured his continued significance within the team, cementing his position as a key contributor for the prestigious club.

Erling Haaland - 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup

Ukraine emerged as the champions in the 2019 tournament, securing a victory over South Korea in the final. However, the standout player of the competition was none other than a participant who was eliminated during the group stage.

Haaland soared to stardom in Poland that summer, delivering an astonishing performance that remains unparalleled in the history of the tournament. The Norwegian sensation left an indelible mark by scoring an incredible nine goals in a remarkable 12-0 triumph over Honduras, establishing an extraordinary record for the highest number of goals scored in a single game.

Erling Haaland

Despite only finding the net in one match and not participating in the knockout stages, the now-Manchester City star claimed the Golden Boot award. His exceptional goal-scoring prowess during the tournament foreshadowed his continued success, as Haaland has remained a prolific scorer ever since, solidifying his status as one of the game's most potent and relentless strikers.

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