The Guardian’s 2015 list of 50 young footballers, identified as the “next generation of football,” offers an intriguing snapshot of the promising talent born in 1998. This list, which resurfaced recently, highlights several players who have risen to prominence on the global stage, such as Martin Odegaard and Federico Valverde, while also shedding light on those whose careers took different paths.
In October 2015, The Guardian embarked on a worldwide search for young players who were expected to make an impact in the sport. The comprehensive list included three goalkeepers, seven defenders, 20 midfielders, and 19 forwards, but only a fraction of them managed to break through to the international scene and fulfill their early potential.
One of the first names on the list was Luca Fernandez, the second son of Real Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane. At the time, Luca was fresh off a victory in the European Championship with France’s U-17 squad and was playing for Real Madrid B. Despite these early achievements, his career took a turn four years later when he left Real Madrid to join Rayo Vallecano. Now, at 26 years old, Fernandez plays for the second division Spanish side Granada CF, illustrating how unpredictable the career trajectories of these young talents can be.
The list also includes other notable names, like Dayot Upamecano, who currently plays for Bayern Munich, and Jeff Reine-Adelaide, who, after a stint at Arsenal, is now with Serie B club Salernitana. These players, along with a handful of others, have managed to establish themselves in competitive leagues across Europe and beyond.
The Guardian’s 2015 ‘Next Generation’ List: Where Are They Now?
However, not all players on the list experienced such success. Some, like Franco Lopez and Timothy Fosu-Mensah, have become free agents, struggling to find stability in their professional careers. Others, such as Davor Lovren and İbrahim Demirbağ, have found themselves without clubs after playing for lower-tier teams. This shows the reality of football, where talent alone doesn’t guarantee a successful career, and many factors, including injuries, form, and opportunities, play a crucial role in shaping a player’s future.
Looking further down the list, it becomes evident that several players pursued careers in lesser-known leagues. For instance, Ismail Azzaoui currently plays in the Azerbaijan Premier League, while Jesus Marimón is at Deportes Quindío in Colombia. Players like Sandi Lovric and Jacob Bruun Larsen have found a foothold in top-tier European leagues, with Lovric now at Udinese and Bruun Larsen plying his trade at Hoffenheim. These examples show that while not everyone may reach global stardom, many have carved out respectable careers in various leagues around the world.
The diversity in the career paths of these young players is vast. While some, like Christian Pulisic and Dani Olmo, have become stars at top clubs like AC Milan and Barcelona, others have ventured into lesser-known leagues or seen their careers falter. This disparity reflects the unpredictable nature of football, where early promise doesn’t always translate into long-term success, but persistence can still lead to fulfilling careers.
Here’s a glance at where a few more players are now: Ulises Torres plays for Leones Negros in Mexico, Han Kwang-song is with DPRK Premier League side April 25 Sports Club, and Pedro Pereira is now at Serie A side Monza. The Guardian’s list continues to offer a fascinating look into how careers develop in such a competitive sport. Some names remain familiar to football fans, while others have quietly faded from the limelight.
In conclusion, the 2015 Guardian list, while identifying some of the brightest young talents of the time, serves as a reminder that football careers are often unpredictable. Whether through injuries, transfers, or simply the highs and lows of professional sports, these players’ stories highlight the delicate balance between potential and reality.
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