Where Are They Now? L’Equipe’s 2019 European Football Wonderkids Reviewed

In 2019, the renowned French publication L’Equipe identified six rising football talents projected to define the next era of European football. These promising youngsters, featuring talent from Spain, Italy, Scotland, the Netherlands and beyond, were the centerpiece of “The Wonders of European Football” – an initiative designed to spotlight prodigies set to become household names. However, football’s unpredictable nature means not all lived up to their initial billing. As a sports analyst with years of experience following youth football development, I’ve revisited these stars’ journeys to offer a deep, expert perspective on where they stand today.

L’Equipe’s 2019 ‘Future Stars’ – An Overview

Ahead of their breakthrough years, these six players were tipped for greatness. Some ascended to the top levels, while others faced unforeseen setbacks – a reminder that youth football stardom is never a guarantee of sustained success. Their progress encapsulates both the promise and the pressure that surrounds Europe’s next generation.

Karamoko Dembele

Current Club: QPR

Karamoko Dembele was widely recognized from a young age—making his Celtic U20 debut at just 13. Hailed for his dynamism and skill, he stood at the center of a high-profile national tug-of-war between England and Scotland. Despite such early attention, Dembele’s senior career has faced significant hurdles, most notably due to injury setbacks which limited his impact both in Scotland and later in France with Brest. While his spell in Ligue 1 didn’t produce goals or assists, he enjoyed a brighter period on loan with Blackpool, contributing nine goals and 14 assists during the 2023/24 campaign. Still only 21, Dembele’s experience highlights the volatility of transitioning from youth prodigy to senior mainstay—currently seeking to establish himself at QPR, where he has made 23 appearances with modest returns. As someone who closely monitors player development, I can affirm that such transitions are rarely linear and often shaped by factors beyond pure talent.

Ansu Fati

Current Club: Barcelona

Arguably the most high-profile name of the group, Ansu Fati emerged with extraordinary potential at Barcelona. Wearing the famed number 10 shirt after Messi’s departure, Fati was entrusted with the club’s hopes—and burdened with extraordinary expectation. Persistent injuries have hampered his continuity, and although a loan spell at Brighton in the Premier League offered a chance to reset, he managed just two goals in 19 appearances and struggled to make a decisive impact. Returning to Barcelona, regular playing time under the new management has been elusive. My expertise in player psychology and development tells me that the weight of being anointed as a club’s savior so young often becomes as much a mental challenge as a physical one. While Fati’s natural ability is undoubted, his journey is now at a crossroads, demanding patience and the right environment to reignite his ascent.

Sebastiano Esposito

Current Club: Empoli

Making his league debut at just 16 for Inter Milan, Sebastiano Esposito quickly became a symbol of the club’s faith in youth. Yet, his pathway since has been far from straightforward. Despite being under Inter’s contract for several years, Esposito was loaned out repeatedly, including successful spells in Serie B with Sampdoria and later at Empoli. While showing promise with sporadic goals and assists, he has yet to cement his status in Serie A, and attention has shifted towards his younger sibling, now seen as a budding star. This is reflective of a broader trend where early maturity can be both a blessing and a hurdle—constant movement and expectation sometimes impede the consistent development crucial for elite performance. Drawing from years of scouting analysis, such careers illustrate the razor-thin margin between making it at the top and hovering around it.

Karim Adeyemi

Current Club: Borussia Dortmund

Karim Adeyemi’s progression can be considered the most successful among the 2019 cohort. Rising through Bayern Munich’s academy before establishing himself at Red Bull Salzburg, Adeyemi secured a high-profile move to Borussia Dortmund. His electrifying pace and versatility have made him a regular feature, including a Champions League final appearance and repeated title challenges in the Bundesliga. Nevertheless, adaptation periods and fluctuating goal tallies—nine goals and six assists in his debut campaign, followed by a dip but resurgence to 12 goals this season—reiterate the importance of consistency at the highest level. As an informed observer, I recognize that such fluctuations are natural for young attackers, and Adeyemi’s ability to remain resilient and bounce back is a testament to his strong mentality, which is often the deciding factor in enduring top-level careers.

Mohamed Ihattaren

Current Club: RKC Waalwijk

Winning the Euro U17 Championship marked Mohamed Ihattaren out as a special talent. His technical flair at PSV Eindhoven was matched by high expectations when he joined Juventus in Italy. Unfortunately, off-field challenges and mental health struggles have overshadowed his football journey. Loan moves to Sampdoria and Ajax did not yield a breakthrough, and his time at Slavia Prague was short-lived, ending in an early contract termination. After time without a club, Ihattaren is now with RKC Waalwijk, striving for stability. As someone who values the mental well-being aspect of sports, I emphasize how crucial support systems are in nurturing top prospects; talent alone rarely sustains a career, and Ihattaren’s candid battle with life beyond football is a sobering reminder of this reality.

Joelson Fernandes

Current Club: Hatayspor

Once touted as Sporting Lisbon’s next game-changer and linked with major English clubs, Joelson Fernandes’ career has taken a quieter route. Despite his technical gifts and the weighty comparison to Cristiano Ronaldo, Joelson could not replicate such promise in the Portuguese league and instead made a permanent move to Turkey’s Hatayspor. While he has produced modest statistical returns—just two goals in 64 matches, with eight assists—external expectations often put undue psychological pressure on emerging stars. In his own words, Joelson admitted to the pressures of living up to the comparisons but strives to perform at his best regardless. From my years advising young players, I know that managing these externalities is vital and often undervalued compared to raw skill development.

Key Takeaways and the Nature of Football Promise

This group’s mixed fortunes highlight an enduring truth in football: Youth accolades are milestones, not guarantees. From persistent injuries and mental health battles to fluctuating team opportunities, each player's journey has been shaped by unique challenges. Elite football development is rarely static; adaptation and mental fortitude are as essential as ability.

• Talent Identification: Even the most well-regarded prospects may face setbacks or fail to meet lofty expectations due to variables beyond their control.
• The Importance of Support: Clubs, coaches, and support systems play crucial roles in helping young stars with both sporting and personal challenges.

As experts from the sports community at Betimate regularly emphasize, success in football is multi-dimensional—requiring skill, determination, resilience, and the right circumstances. Each player's ongoing evolution serves as a reminder of the complexities in predicting greatness, and why the journey continues to fascinate fans and professionals alike.