AC Milan are a fallen giant, and their current situation suggests that it could take them a while to get back to their former glory. One player who cannot be blamed for any of Milan's current ills is Gianluigi Donnarumma. Donnarumma may now be a well-known name in the world of football but that is mainly because he has been playing regular first-team football for one of the biggest and most historic clubs since he was 16 years of age. Now 18, the Italy international is easily the best teenage goalkeeper in the world, and it is only a matter of time before the likes of Real Madrid, Juventus, or Manchester City prise him away. Strong, composed and athletic, he is the natural successor to Gianluigi Buffon in the Italy team.
Just like Donnarumma, Kylian Mbappe has been in the public eye for a while now, not least because of his performances for AS Monaco in Ligue 1 and in the Champions League last season. Now on loan at Paris Saint-Germain, Mbappe is arguably the best teenage striker on the planet. The 19-year-old is going from strength to strength, and one should not be surprised if he wins the Ballon d'Or in the next few years. Blessed with pace and flair, Mbappe is one of the best and most talented young footballers in the world. Playing with the likes of Neymar and Edinson Cavani is only going to make him better.
Not many would have heard of Vinicius Junior until May 2017 when Spanish and European giants Real Madrid splashed the cash to sign him. Then only 16 years of age, Madrid spent as much as £38.7 million in transfer fees in order to secure the forward's services from Flamengo. At the time of the deal, the youngster had played just 17 minutes of senior football but he is hugely talented and has massive natural ability.
The transfer to Madrid will officially go through in July 2018 when he will turn 18, although he could remain at Flamengo on loan for a further year. It will be a massive deal for Vinicius Junior to playing for arguably the biggest club in the world in Madrid, and Brazilian legend Pele has urged him to keep his feet on the ground. Named by Lottoland as one of the top 10 most inspirational athletes of all time, the three-time World Cup winner and one of the greatest ever footballers has advised his compatriot to stay humble and not believe that he is better than others.
Kun Temenuzhkov is another young footballer who could make it big in the coming years. Now on the books of Leeds United and playing for the English club's Under-23 side, the Bulgarian spent three seasons at Barcelona's La Masia academy and is one of the most naturally gifted young players of all time. A striker who idolises Uruguay and Barcelona forward Luis Suarez, Temenuzhkov is a name that football fans all over the world could become used to in the next two or three years when he is ready for regular first-team football.
