The FIFA U-17 World Cup is all set to start on October 6. The FIFA U-17 World Cup is one of the biggest football tournaments conducted by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). Especially, this year, the tournament will be hosted by India, and so the Indian under 17 football team has also qualified for the tournament for the first time in the history of FIFA U-17 World Cup.
Well, FIFA U-17 tournaments have always been playing a vital role for every aspiring football player. Notably, ever since the tournament got started i.e from 1985, it has given many football superstars who have now created history in the world. Thus, on the occasion of FIFA U-17 World Cup, we have brought 10 young turks who went on to become superstars.
Take a look –
Luis Figo (Portugal) – 1989
In 1989, FIFA U-17 World Cup used to be known as the FIFA U-16 World Championship. So, FIFA U-16 World Championship has given football superstar from Portugal, Luis Figo. Notably, Figo scored two goals in six matches as Portugal went on to finish as the third-best team. Figo went on to become one of the greatest footballers as he is known as a ‘galactico’ at Real Madrid. Figo is also one of the few players who has played for Real Madrid and Barcelona as well.
Francesco Totti (Italy) – 1993
Italian footballer Fransesco Totti had appeared in U-17 World Championship in which he scored one iconic goal in the match. Despite his team being eliminated from the championship, Totti went on to become the global football star. He became the second-highest scorer of all time in Serie A history with 250 goals for Roma. Moreover, Totti has also given his valuable contribution to make Italy, a winner of FIFA World Cup 2006.
Julio Cesar (Brazil) – 1995
Brazilian footballer Julio Cesar is a magician as a goalkeeper. He has made everyone crazy with his goalkeeping style and has given nightmares to many strikers. Cesar notably played in 2006, 2010 and 2014 World Cups for Brazil.
Ronaldinho (Brazil) – 1997
Ronaldinho is one of those players in the history of football that no one can match his skills on the ground. Ronaldinho scored two goals in six matches as Brazil went on to become the champions. Notably, he has been a part of 2002 World Cup winning team for Brazil.
Iker Casillas (Spain) – 1997
Casillas has always been considered as one of the finest goalkeepers in the history of football. He has been a captain of Spain team and made Spain a winner of Euro Cup 2008, 2012 and winner of World Cup 2010. Casillas also represented Real Madrid in 510 matches in 16 years and Xavi the midfield maestro at Barcelona.
Fernando Torres (Spain) – 2001
Fernando Torres has been representing Spain since many years now. But audiences have witnessed his philanthropic football skills in U-17 World Championship. Torres has always been a star player of Spain and he has appeared in winning team of Euro Cup and World Cup. He also scored in both the Euro 2008 and Euro 2012 final match, which Spain won.
Carlos Tevez (Argentina) – 2001
Carlos Tevez has played a vital role in 2001’s FIFA U-17 World Championship as he scored two goals to put Argentina in the fourth position. Tevez went on to win two Premier Leagues and one UEFA Champions League with Manchester United.
Cesc Fabregas (Spain) – 2003
Fabregas top-scored with five goals for Spain to win the Golden Boot in U-17 World Championship of 2003. He went on to win the 2010 World Cup, 2008 and 2012 Euros and 2010 World Cup.
Toni Kroos (Germany) – 2007
Toni Kroos has always been one of the finest players of Germany. Toni Kroos won the Golden Ball award, scoring five goals in six matches in U-17 World Cup. He helped Germany finish as runner-up. He later went on to play for the Germany team that reached 2010 World Cup and UEFA Euro 2012 semi-finals. He won the 2014 World Cup also.
Neymar (Brazil) – 2009
Neymar is considered as one of the costliest players among footballers. His football skills have always been things to learn among young and aspiring players. He has scored only one goal in U-17 World Cup of 2009. But his league matches records are just unbreakable.
